Hero of the past versus star of the present The stage is finally set for a thrilling M DONNELLY 60x30 All-Ireland Senior Singles final where defending champion, Dublin's Eoin Kennedy will battle against Kilkenny legend, Michael 'Ducksy' Walsh for top honours at Croke Park Handball HQ. Kennedy, now aiming for his fifth title in succession, overcame Mayo's Dessie Keegan after an exciting semi-final battle two weeks ago, while Ducksy made the breakthrough after a convincing win over Meath's Tom Sheridan. The handball legend, who claimed 16 All-Ireland senior titles between 1985 and 2001, will be out to make amends for last year's final defeat and feels he underperformed on the big day last September. "I do feel that I didn't play to my potential last year and I'm hoping to give Eoin a better game next Saturday," said Walsh, at the M Donnelly finals launch today (Tuesday) at the National Handball Centre. "I'd love to win this final, but I know Eoin is the favourite and rightly so; he has been a great champion for the past four years and it's going to be another big occasion." Walsh last collected honours in 2002 when he defeated Kennedy in their first ever meeting but since then the Dubliner has held his own, winning five of the last six crowns. Next Saturday will pit the hero of the past against the star of the present and only one winner can emerge. "Since 2001, I have been in the final every year with the exception of 2003 and its definitely where I want to be; I love the buzz of playing in front of a big crowd with something really important on the line," said Kennedy. Ducksy also likes the limelight and having played in 19 finals, he knows what All-Ireland final day in Croke Park is all about. "It makes me feel very old when I think about the statistics but this is my 20th final; I've won 16 and lost 3 so that's not a bad record," said the father of three. Also in action on All-Ireland final day in Croke Park will be minor finalists, Limerick's Seamus O'Carroll and Meath's Gary McConnell. O'Carroll will also contest the minor doubles final in two weeks time, while McConnell will be bidding for a small and big alley double having collected minor 40x20 honours earlier in the year. In the Intermediate Doubles Final, Dublin's Ian Griffin and Kerry Hennessy will have a tough battle against Tipperary's Ger Coonan and Martin McNerney. It will be a family occasion for Limerick native, Hennessy on Saturday with sister, Bernie, contesting the Ladies Senior Singles final against Ashley Prendeville from the Kindgom. The young Kerry lady is the defending champion, but Hennessy was the bell of the big alley in the 90s and at 39, she will look to relive former glories. O'Carroll and McConnell will get proceedings underway at 3pm in Croke Park on Saturday. ALL-IRELAND FINAL LINE-UP September 6th @ the Irish Handball Centre, Croke Park, 3pm Minor Singles: S O'Carroll (Limerick) v G McConnell (Meath) Intermediate Doubles: G Coonan, M McNerney (Tipperary) v I Griffin, K Hennessy (Dublin) Ladies Senior Singles: B Hennessy (Limerick) v A Prendeville (Kerry) Senior Singles: Michael 'Ducksy' Walsh (Kilkenny) v Eoin Kennedy (Dublin) Tweet

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