McCarthy & Kennedy complete semi final victories in style
September 08, 2014
For the 6th year running the M Donnelly 60x30 All Ireland Senior Singles Final will be contested between Dublin's Eoin Kennedy and Robbie McCarthy after both players put in superb performances in their respective semi finals at the weekend in Abbeylara, Longford.
It is one of GAA Handball's greatest rivalries with McCarthy slightly shading the title count having won three titles as opposed to Kennedy's two in the 5 previous meetings between the men, Kennedy drew first blood in 2009 and 2010 while McCarthy responded to take titles in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The latest installment in this rivalry will take place in Abbeylara on Saturday 13th September 2014 and who will take the title home is going to be a tight call.
McCarthy has reached this final playing some superb handball and looks at ease in the court no matter who the opposition is. Saturday was no different when he faced Meath's Brian Carroll a noted doubles player in the 60x30 code. McCarthy dispatched the Meath man with ruthless efficiency and no little amount of skill to book his place in the decider for a sixth year in a row. McCarthy's power and pace proved too much for the Meathman as he ran out 21-9, 21-3 winner and secured his place in next week's final.
If McCarthy was ruthless and efficient then Kennedy more than matched him with his comprehensive 21-6, 21-10 victory over Kilkenny's Michael Ducksy Walsh in the second game at the Longford venue. Kennedy has been in top form in these championships and is looking as fit and deadly as he has ever been. Despite a slow start in the first game on Saturday the St Brigid's man soon clicked into top gear to close out a comfortable first game 21-6 and while Walsh mounted a brief fightback in the second there was to be no shock here as Kennedy closed out the match 21-10 to reach yet another final. Kennedy is eager to reclaim the title he last won in 2010 and his appearance in this years final sets up what promises to be another cracking installment in this great rivalry.
Meanwhile, Cork's Catriona Casey & Aishling O'Keefe captured the first major honours of the season as they defeated neighbours Kerry (Maria Daly & Ashley Prendiville) in the M Donnelly Ladies 60x30 Senior Doubles Final at Broadford, Limerick yesterday.
The Cork duo were in inspired form in the first as they closed out a relatively straight forward 21-10 first game victory. The second game was a much tighter affair with the the Kerry ladies staging a determined fightback to try and force a tie-break. However the Cork girls kept their nerve as they closed out the game 21-18 to regain the title they won for the first time last year much to the delight of their following in the sizeable crowd at the Limerick venue.
M Donnelly 60x30 All Ireland Finals Programme
Saturday 13th September 2013 - Abbeylara, Longford
1.00pm: Minor Singles Final: Tyrone (Johnny Woods) v Tipperary (Daniel Hayes)
2.00pm: Intermediate Singles Final: Galway (Martin Mulkerrins) v Meath (Gary McConnell)
3.30pm: Senior Singles Final: Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy) v Dublin (Eoin Kennedy)
