Kilkenny's Michael Ducksy Walsh turned back the years again on Saturday afternoon in Thurles to create another unprecedented record.
Walsh teamed up with Michael Clifford to deny reigning champions, Dublin's Eoin Kennedy and Egin Jensen, in the 2010 senior doubles semi-final and that victory has produced a very significant scenario ahead of next weekend's eagerly awaited title showdown.
Walsh secured his first All-Ireland senior title win back in 1985 and will be one of the Jubilee champions honoured for their senior success of 25 years ago. He will collect his latest honour and then don the colours of Kilkenny once again to step onto the court where he will bid for an incredible 39th All-Ireland senior handball medal.
The action at the Semple Stadium venue certainly did not disappoint the packed crowd on Saturday afternoon as Wicklow's Shauna Hilley initially opened the day with a supremely confident performance to collect the GAA Handball All-Ireland intermediate ladies' crown at the expense of Kerry's Catriona Casey.
That was followed by a tremendous battle in the Ladies Senior Doubles final. Mayo's Amy Corrigan found herself in the unique position of contesting a senior and minor final in the same season but, alongside partner Pauline Gallagher, she lost out in this occasion to the highly experienced and successful Kerry partnership of Ashley Prendiville and Maria Daly.
The Ballymcelligot duo have now won the 40x20 and 60x30 senior doubles double and in two week’s time will meet again to contest the senior singles decider back in Thurles.
The opening tie of the Men’s Senior Doubles Championship semi-finals proved to be an absolute thriller. Wexford’s Barry Goff and Colin Keeling held the edge all through the opening game and lead by 19-17, but Meath’s 2008 Championship partnership of Tom Sheridan and Brian Carroll then found the decisive shots to win 21-19. The second game followed an almost identical pattern as Goff and Keeling held a 20-18 advantage, but lost the decisive ace as Meath went into the final with a 21-20 win.
Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy and Egin Jensen were bidding to complete a fourth title success in five years in 2010, but came unstuck against a highly motivated Walsh and Clifford. The Kilkenny duo won out 21-17, 21-17 to set up that showdown in one week’s time with their Meath rivals.
The finalists met at the penultimate stage of the competition twelve months ago when Sheridan and Carroll produced a remarkable comeback to win and reach the final so all the ingredients are in place for a truly breathtaking showpiece to conclude the senior Championship action in the 60x30 court for the year.
RESULTS: Saturday 11 September 2010, Thurles, Tipperary:
GAA Handball All-Ireland Ladies 60x30 Championship finals:
Ladies Intermediate Singles final: Wicklow (Shauna Hilley) dft Kerry (Catriona Casey) 21-5, 21-8?
Ladies Senior Doubles final: Kerry (Ashley Prendiville & Maria Daly) dft Mayo (Pauline Gallagher & Amy Corrigan) 21-6, 17-21, 21-10
GAA Handball All-Ireland Men's Senior Doubles Championship semi-finals:
Meath (Tom Sheridan/Brian Carroll) dft Wexford (Barry Goff/Colin Keeling) 21-19, 21-20?
Kilkenny (Ducksy Walsh/Michael Clifford) dft Dublin (Eoin Kennedy/Egin Jensen) 21-17, 21-17
