Westmeath handballer Robbie McCarthy, who has lost just one singles match in the 'big alley' in the last seven years, showed no ring rustiness after his return from the World Championships as he turned in a brilliant exhibition against Limerick's first-time semi-finalist Paudi Quish in yesterday's MyClubShop.ie All-Ireland Senior Singles semi-final at Croke Park.
Mullingar native McCarthy is already being spoken about as one of the greatest ever to play the traditional 60x30 code - and the scary thing for his opponents is that he shows no signs of easing off.
McCarthy, a naval recruit based in Cork, swept aside Quish on a 21-13, 21-4 scoreline and there were no surprises in the other games on the bill, either as the top seeds advanced in both men's and women's grades.
Both deciders will be repeats of last year, with reigning champions McCarthy and Martina McMahon (Limerick) meeting Dublin's Eoin Kennedy and Cork's Catriona Casey respectively.
St Brigid's clubman Kennedy - the eight-time champion - eased past Meath's Gary McConnell in straight games, 21-13, 21-4. In the ladies, Casey beat fellow Rebel Aishling O'Keeffe while McMahon beat Kilkenny's Ciara Mahon (21-11, 21-5).
The finals take place on September 29 at the same venue.
