There is action from all four codes of handball played in Ireland taking place across the country this weekend.
As handballers move from the small court to the big alley, the hardball season gets underway this week with the hard-hitting men of the game taking to the courts; there is also softball and one-wall action in Limerick and Galway this weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, seven Round of 16 games in the Junior Singles Championship take place, where the meeting of Chris Doolin (Roscommon) and Tipperary’s Jason Tobin promises to be one of the most interesting battles.
Doolin was runner-up in the All-Ireland two years ago and will be hoping to make a return in 2010, while Tobin is one of the most prominent players in the Premier county. Number two seed, Galway’s Kevin Craddock, is also in action and will face Meath’s Michael Gaynor at Mullingar at Saturday evening.
Meanwhile, some of the top 60x30 players in the country will travel to Limerick this weekend for the Danny O`Sullivan Memorial Tournament, hosted by Hospital Handball Club. It promises to be a great weekend of big alley action with the current All-Ireland Senior Softball champion, Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy, Kilkenny legend, Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh and rising star, Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy all taking part in the Senior Doubles grade.
McCarthy will partner Cavan ace Michael Finnegan, while Kennedy teams up with Tipperary’s Dara Moloney and Walsh joins forces with Meath veteran Tom Sheridan. Sheridan and Walsh are the reigning champions and with a wealth of experience, the duo will provide a tough hurdle for any of the talented pairings competing.
Elsewhere, Williamstown (Galway) host their inaugural One-Wall tournament this weekend, with reigning Irish One-Wall National champion Armagh’s Charly Shanks seeded one in the Men’s Open category. Last year, the Lurgan clubman put on a remarkable display to claim his second crown and all eyes will be on Shanks next month when he bids to retain his title.
Fellow Armagh handballer, James Doyle and Mayo’s Vinny Moran will be hoping to stop Shanks in his tracks this weekend, but the spin-serve master will be very difficult to contain.
