The draw for the GAA Handball 60x30 Senior Championship has been announced with the top four seeds awaiting the Round of 32 winners before they get into the action.
Dublin's Eoin Kennedy, who is bidding for a sixth consecutive senior singles title is seeded number one in the championship draw, while the last player to defeat the Dubliner, Meath's Tom Sheridan takes up the number two position.
Mayo's Dessie Keegan, who was defeated by Kennedy after a thrilling semi-final battle last year, is ranked three, with Wicklow's Michael Gregan number four. This is the first time that the name of Michael 'Ducksy' Walsh does that appear on the fixture list following the Kilkenny legend’s retirement from the senior singles stage last year.
However, there are plenty of exciting games to look forward to in the opening set of games, while take place on 17-19 July. There is also the added excitement that the winner of the event will join the Official Irish Handball squad to travel to Portland for the World Championships in October 2009.
With Eoin Kennedy having already secured his place on that squad, and providing he achieves his ambition of that sixth successive title win, then the runner-up in this year's series will join the official squad.
In the Round of 32 games, Cavan's Michael Finnegan, who showed great form at the recent Danny O’Sullivan Memorial Tournament, takes on Dublin's Egin Jensen in his first round meeting.
The clash of Wicklow's Johnny Willoughby and Roscommon's Rikki O'Gara is certain to an entertaining one, while 2008 Intermediate singles champion, Ger Coonan (Tipperary) takes on Mayo's Joe McCann in his debut as a senior player.
There are also 21 entries in the Men's Open Doubles championship, with reigning champions, Meath's Tom Sheridan and Brian Carroll seeded in pole position, with the 2007 champions, Dublin's Egin Jensen and Eoin Kennedy ranked two.
In the Ladies' open singles championship, number 1 seed, Ashley Prendeville (Kerry) will be hoping to retain her title, but will have strong competition from last year's finalist, Bernie Hennessy (Limerick). The winner of this event will also travel to Portland in October as part of the Official Irish Handball Squad.
