Handballers Croke Park bound for AllIreland finals
THERE’S a busy weekend ahead in 60x30 handball with the focus being on Croke Park Handball Centre All-Ireland Finals programme on Saturday commencing at 12 noon with Minor Singles, Ladies Senior Singles and Men’s Senior Singles.
On Sunday at venues countrywide the remainder of All-Ireland Singles Finals and nearer to home Munster Juvenile Final programme on Friday evening at Cullen and on Sunday at Limerick venues Broadford and Hospital. Back to Croke Park Handball Centre on Saturday programme kicks off with Minor Singles Final in which Kilkenny Kyle Dunne faces Monaghan Eoghan McGinnity in what promises to be a lively contest.
That will be followed by All-Ireland Ladies Singles Final in which Catriona Casey, Ballydesmond, faces the reigning champion Limerick’s Martina McMahon in a repeat of last year’s epic final. That was a game those who witnessed will not forget following three magical games. Just one ace separated the players at the end, and Casey will be hoping she can reverse last year’s result, though it won’t be easy as McMahon is also an exceptionally talented player in the 60x30 code.
The last game on the Croke Park programme Men’s Senior Singles Final should also be a cracked as Robbie McCarthy, Westmeath, faces Dubliner Eoin Kennedy.
On Sunday at venues countrywide the remainder of Singles Finals programme will be completed. Back to Juvenile provincial programme Cork players will be involved in a number of Finals over the weekend.
Starting this Friday at Cullen there are two finals down for decision. At 7pm, first into action will be Boys U-16 Doubles in which Gearoid Healy, Liscarroll, team up with Kealan Murphy, Ballydesmond, to play Kerry pair Daire Lynch and Sean Quirke.
In the second final in Cullen Ballydesmond pair Eoghan Daly and John Cronin play Clare Tony Leyden and Eanna Culloo.
Sunday will be a busy day at both Broadford and Hospital venues, Broadford is first up with an 11am start they host a programme of five finals.
In the opening game Girls U-15 Doubles Clare’s Eimear Murphy and Leah Minogue take on Waterford’s Saoirse Kelly and Saoirse Moloney. Cork will be involved in the second game which is Boys U-15 Singles with Fermoy player Hayden Supple taking on Waterford Michael McDonagh.
In the third game on the programme Girls U-14 Singles Tipperary’s Emma Williams play Kerry Sarah Mason. In Girls U-16 Doubles Cork’s Sarah Walsh, from Mallow, teams up with Cliona Dunning, Conna, to play Tipperary’s Anna Mulcahy and Aine Spain. The last game at Broadford is Boys U-13 Doubles in which Cian Dunning, Conna teams up with Tomas O’Connor, Boherbue as they take on Tipperary Conal Murphy and Eoghan Dunne.
Moving on to Hospital venue on Sunday with a 1pm start. The programme commences with Boys U-12 Singles Ryan Linehan, Ballydesmond plays Tipperary Stefan Tobin, Boys U-12 Doubles follows with Thomas Myers, Ballydesmond, partnering Jack Murphy, Mallow, they play Tipperary Lucky Matis and Ronan Redmond, that will be followed by Boys U-14 Doubles in which Ballydesmond pair Darragh Murphy and Colin Brosnan play Waterford Billy O’Connell and Jack Power. In Girls U-12 Singles Amy Brosnan, Ballydesmond, plays Tipperary Katie Mulcahy both remaining finals in Hospital are Waterford v Tipperary clashes.