Casey going for three in a row

September 22, 2014

Catriona Casey reigning Ladies champion from Wednesday's launch of the finals programme in Croke Park

The M Donnelly 60x30 Ladies Senior Singles Final will be between Cork and Limerick as reigning champion Catriona Casey and up and coming star Martina McMahon do battle in Abbeylara on Saturday at 2pm.Reigning  champion Casey who is going for a three in a row of Ladies Senior 60x30 titles defeated  Kerry's Ashley Prendiville a long time adversary of the Cork lady and a three time winner herself of the blue riband of Ladies softball in last weekends semi final. The first game saw the Cork star in usually devastating form as she surged ahead of her Kerry counterpart and claimed a 21-6 victory. Casey displayed her full array of skills in securing a comprehensive first and set down a marker that she would not be beaten easily. The second was much the same as the first and despite a brief rally from Prendiville the Cork champion was too good and took the second 21-10 to book her place in the decider.

In the second semi final up and coming star Martina McMahon from Limerick caused yet another shock as she defeated Kerry's experienced Maria Daly. Daly who reached finals in 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2013 collecting her maiden title in 2011 took the first 21-7 and appeared to be heading for a rematch with Casey in the battle for this year's honours. McMahon is having a year to remember and is coming of age in 2014 and she displayed the resilience and quality that has been a hallmark of her performances this year to bounce back in the second and take the game 21-10 to set up a tie break finish. In the tie break the action was much more even with both girls pulling out all the stops in a bid to reach the final. Many expected Daly's experience to pull her through in a tight encounter but it was the Limerick lady who held her nerve to close out the game 21-19 and book her place in her first 60x30 Senior Singles Final. 

And so the two time champion will face the young pretender in the final on Saturday in Abbeylara. It promises to be a cracking encounter as two of the most promising players in recent times will do battle on the court in a bid to capture this year's top prize. Will it be another milestone for McMahon in an already excellent year or will the experience of the past two titles give Casey the edge as she bids to collect a three in a row of Ladies Senior Singles titles.


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