Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy is hoping to continue his the remarkable journey in this year’s Championship when he takes on Armagh’s Charly Shanks in the GAA Handball Senior quarter-final.
Shanks defeated Wexford’s Gavin Buggy in last weekend’s qualifiers to seal his quarter-final place against McCarthy and the Lake County man is expecting a real battle from the Lurgan clubman.
'Charly is a class act and has proven himself against plenty of the top players in recent years,' said McCarthy, from the Mullingar Club.
'He’s going to provide a very tough opposition, but this is Championship and I’ve proven I can take the top players down already.
‘Hopefully I can up my game again on Saturday.'
Elsewhere, reigning champion Paul Brady takes on Antrim’s Ricky McCann in another quarter-final meeting.
Brady has just returned to competitive action following a lengthy spell in the gallery, due to his well-documented hip injury.
The Breffni handball ace has yet to return to the county’s football set up, but hopes to be back in action after the league campaign.
In Roscommon, Connacht champion Dessie Keegan takes on Wicklow’s Michael Gregan in what is certain to be one of the most keenly contested clashes of the weekend.
Gregan and Keegan have met on numerous occasions in Championship history and, with a semi-final place at stake, it is all to play for at the St Coman’s venue.
There is also Men’s Senior Doubles Qualifier action this weekend, with Cork’s Colm Jordan and Shane Hedigan pitted against Wexford’s Gavin Buggy and Paul Lambert in O’Loughlin’s.
At the same venue, Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy and Egin Jensen take on Tipperary duo David Maloney and Fergal Collins, while Wicklow ‘s Michael Gregan and Johnny face Antrim pairing Ricky McCann and Seamus O'Tuama in Kells.
In the final doubles action, Armagh’s Charly Shanks and James Doyle clash with Mayo’s Vinnie Moran and Campbell Brennan in a bid to continue their Championship campaigns.
