After a thrilling Envirogreen Resource Irish Nationals last weekend, Dalkia Senior Championship action returns on Saturday when the top eight male and female handballers in the country all take to the courts. Having successfully retained his Men's Open title in Kilkenny last weekend, Cork's Tony Healy continues his Dalkia Senior Championship campaign Nureside when he takes on Westmeath young-gun, Robbie McCarthy. Healy was in top form in last Sunday's final against Dubliner, Eoin Kennedy and this could be the year he causes the upset against long-time rival, Cavan's Paul Brady. Next Saturday, however, the Ballydesmond man will be focused on sealing his semi-final place when he takes to the O'Loughlin Gaels stage against McCarthy, a player who has yet to realise his full potential. Last weekend's beaten finalist, Kennedy, faces the Mayo powerhouse, Dessie Keegan and this meeting looks set to be one of the most exciting of the weekend. Battles between the pairing are always thrilling affairs and this one will be no different. Kennedy was carrying a leg injury in last weekend's final, but hopes to be back to full fitness ahead of the quarter-final clash in Kingscourt (Cavan). Armagh's Charly Shanks and Antrim's Ricky McCann will contest the third quarter-final, with Breffni handballer Paul Brady continuing the journey to defend his title when he takes on Meath's Brian Carroll. Meanwhile in the Dalkia 40x20 Ladies Senior Championship, Antrim's Aisling Reilly, who defeated world champion, Fiona Shannon to claim her first senior crown last weekend, faces Limerick veteran, Bernie Hennessy in her quarter-final clash. Reilly is one of the rising stars in the women's game and will take on some of the top US players in the coming months as she bids to stamp her name on the world stage. Defending champion, Shannon faces Kerry's Ashley Prendeville in O'Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) on Saturday. The pairing fought on a well-contested battle last weekend, where Shannon won in two straight. Eimear Ní Fhallúin (Kildare), who forced a tiebreaker with Reilly in the semi-final in last weekend's Irish Nationals, also takes on Marianna Rushe (Roscommon) at the same venue. While fellow Lily-white Anna Spence will renew rivalries with Kerry's Maria Daly in what will be a great re-match from last weekend's tie, where Daly won 11-5 in a tie-breaker finish. Tweet

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