This Saturday sees the semi-finals of the M Donnelly 60x30 Senior Singles take place in Abbeylara, Longford.
First up is the meeting of reigning champion Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy and Meath's Brian Carroll in a repeat of last year's semi-final.
McCarthy looked every inch the favourite for this year’s title in his impressive display against Limerick's CJ Fitzpatrick winning 21-7, 21-5.
Carroll, a noted doubles player in 60x30, also had an eye-catching win in his quarter-final - defeating Wexford's Gavin Buggy by 21-9, 21-7.
The second semi-final sees two legends of the game face off in an intriguing battle as Dublin's eight-time winner Eoin Kennedy faces 16-time Senior Singles Champion, Kilkenny's Michael Ducksy Walsh.
Kennedy, who dominated the sport for the best part of a decade, looks in impressive form this season and secured an impressive 21-5, 21-3 victory over Mayo's Joe McCann.
Standing in his way of another final appearance is Kilkenny legend Walsh. Walsh took on Tipperary's Ger Coonan in the quarter-final and despite a narrow 21-18 victory in the first he blew the Tipperary man away in the second, running out 21-1 and sealing his spot in Saturday's semis.
The action begins at 3pm in the Longford venue.
Also this Saturday in Broadford, Limerick, four of the top ladies in the softball game will do battle in the blue riband event of Ladies’ 60x30 Doubles Handball.
Reigning champions Cork's Catriona Casey and Aishling O'Keefe will take on Kerry's Maria Daly and Ashley Prendiville in the M Donnelly 60x30 Ladies Doubles final at the Limerick venue.
Cork's duo of Catriona Casey and Aishling O'Keefe, who collected their first Ladies’ Senior Doubles title last year, defeated Limerick's Martina McMahon and Cathy Foley in the semi-final on a scoreline of 21-13, 21-17.
Kerry, who have won the title on three previous occasions, are an experienced pairing and in their semi-final they were impressive winners over last year's finalists Mayo's Amy Corrigan and Pauline Gallagher.
They came through after a tie break to win 21-4, 17-21, 21-7 as the Kerry girls marched on in search of a fourth Ladies’ 60x30 Senior Doubles title following victories in 2007, 2009 (Ashley & Meadhbh Prendiville) & 2010.
