The brand new sport of microball is taking off in Dublin, and founder Keith Francis is hoping this fast-paced game can take off in the city.
Microball is similar to Olympic handball, played with a racquetball by teams of five at a frenetic pace.
"It's five-a-side, played on a normal basketball court with indoor soccer goals," Francis explains to Dublin Live.
"There's three ways to score with it - a goal is worth 5 points, over the bar, like in Gaelic football, for 3 points, and you can throw it slightly wide between the goals and a cone for two points.
"Gameplay is generally free. You only have four seconds and two steps with the ball before passing, dribbling, or shooting. You also can't score from inside the three point line. It's kind of a halfway point between the runes of basketball and Olympic handball."
The new game has had trials in schools - Francis has brought it to secondary schools in Tuam and Kiltimagh - and has been met with very good reviews.
That's led Francis, a Ballybunion native who now lives in Sandyford, to bring it to Dublin.
"The reception in both [schools] was fairly positive," he said.
"Once they got the hang of it they enjoyed it.
"At the moment I've been turning my attention to getting something set up in Dublin. It's always been in the back of my head
"It's loosely based on games I would have played as a child. I suppose it's only in the last 18 months or so that I've actually managed to get around to formalising it."
Francis is aiming to establish a strong base in the capital, with a meeting to establish the first club hopefully taking place on April 6.
And for anyone interested in giving the new sport a go? There will be an all-welcome open day on next Saturday morning at the YMCA on Aungier Street, which you can find more information on by clicking here.
