Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy will renew rivalries with Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy this weekend in the Leinster GAA Handball 40x20 Senior final.
McCarthy, who dispatched of Wicklow’s Michael Gregan in a thrilling semi-final battle two weeks ago, will be eager to get another crack at the Dubliner after his defeat in last year’s All-Ireland 60x30 Senior final.
Eight of Ireland’s top handballers will fight it out for provincial glory this weekend in the GAA Handball 40x20 Senior Championship, and the Leinster showdown is certain to be one of the most competitive.
McCarthy dominated the underage scene, which culminated in U-19 Singles and Doubles victories at the World Championhips in Edmonton, Canada three years ago. Since then, he has been building to compete with the top senior players, and he has proven he can do so in recent months.
‘I’ve been training very hard for this season, and hopefully everything comes together for me on Saturday,’ said the 23 year-old.
The meeting with Kennedy takes place in O’Loughlin’s Kilkenny on Saturday next at 3pm, with the minor singles final serving as curtain raiser.
Meanwhile, in the Munster final, Kerry’s Dominick Lynch will take on Cork’s Colm Jordon, while the Ulster showdown will be contested by Paul Brady, the reigning champion, and Armagh’s Charly Shanks. In Connacht, Mayo doubles pairing, Joe McCann and Dessie Keegan go head-to-head.
McCann and Keegan have a hugely successful year in 2009, when they collected Connacht’s first senior title since 1981, when they defeated Cavan’s Paul Brady and Michael Finnegan in the All-Ireland Senior Doubles final. On Saturday, however, they will be on opposite sides of the ring as they go to battle.
‘It’s definitely a bit strange preparing to play Des, but we’ve known since the beginning of the season that this meeting was a strong possibility, and I suppose, first and foremost, it’s great to be in a final,’ said McCann.
Keegan won his first senior title two years ago in the hardball code, and has reached several 40x20 senior semi-finals, but a small court senior singles title has eluded him.
McCann’s most noted singles victory was in the Men’s A final at the World Championships in Edmonton, Canada three years ago. This clash of the Mayo kingpins is certain to be a competitive meeting and is sure to draw a big crowd to Ballaghaderreen.
