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 in what has developed into one of GAA Handball's most intriguing and greatest rivalries.

McCarthy accepts the mantle of favourite with ease, and there is no letup in his desire to succeed as he bids to further enhance a reputation as one of the games greats. On paper, his Quarter Final with Limericks CJ Fitzpatrick, and his Semi Final against Meath's Brian Carroll looked tricky encounters, with many outsiders predicting close games. But McCarthy was superb in both games, looking every bit the champion in waiting, playing with ruthless efficiency and class as he kept both men to single figures.

However if there is one person in the modern game capable of testing McCarthy, it is Kennedy. Already a legend of the game, this is the Dub's tenth consecutive final appearance, so he knows how to handle the big days in September, having eight titles to his name. Throughout this year's 60x30 season, Kennedy looks sharper and hungrier than last year, dispatching all his opponents thus far with relative comfort including Mayo's Joe McCann in the Quarter Final and Kilkenny's Ducksy Walsh in the Semi Final. A very astute player with incredible stamina, he will have, and rightly should have great confidence in his ability to claim his 9th victory.

The first game of the last four finals between the pair have been incredibly close and nail biting encounters that proved pivotal in the eventual outcome of the match. Score lines of 21-20, 21-19, 21-16 & 21-20 all provided the platform for the eventual champion to run out comfortable winners in the second game, and the packed crowd on Saturday could well expect a similar pattern to the match. But regardless of the score line, one thing that will be guaranteed is that both men will give their all and leave nothing on the court. Both are proud champions, with their legacy already guaranteed. But with all great champions, a defeat can hurt hard, and given they won't get the opportunity to exact revenge for a full year, neither man will want to leave Abbeylara on Saturday empty handed!
Saturday 13th September 2014 Abbeylara, Co. Longford @ 12noon

GAA Handball M Donnelly 60x30 Finals 

Minor Singles Final - 12 noon
Daniel Hayes (Tipperary) v Johnny Woods (Tyrone)
Intermediate Singles Final - 1pm
Martin Mulkerrins (Galway) v Gary McConnell (Meath)
Men's Open Singles Final - 2.30pm
Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath) v Eoin Kennedy (Dublin)

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