Search Results for 'Robbie McCarthy'

More than 400 players are fine-tuning their preparations for this weekend’s GAA Handball One-Wall Nationals at Breaffy House, Castlebar. Three time champion Charlie Shanks returns as top seed in the EDTL Handball Men’s Open having missed the last few tournaments due to his hiatus in New York, while Robbie McCarthy returns after missing last year’s event. McCarthy will replace four time World 40x20 Champion Paul Brady in the men’s open draw after the Cavan man had to withdraw through injury. But McCarthy is a classy replacement and is on the verge of making history. A three time champion himself, Mullingar’s McCarthy will bid to be the first man to hold the All-Ireland Senior 40x20 Title, All-Ireland Senior 60x30 Title, and Irish Men’s Open One-Wall Nationals Title all at the same time, which would be a truly remarkable achievement.

It was a good week for Ballaghaderreen handballer Dessie Keegan who partnered Joe McCann to reach the last four of the all-Ireland senior doubles championship with a comfortable 21-8, 21-7 victory over Munster’s only challengers, C J Fitzpatrick and Paul Hedderman of Limerick.

On a particularly busy weekend for handball with the first series of all-Ireland adult and juvenile finals, the overall picture was one of great joy for many of Mayo’s contenders although there were some disappointments also.

Ballaghaderreen’s Stephen Cooney claimed the men’s 23 and under title at the Irish Nationals Championships in Kingscourt, Co Cavan, last weekend. The Mayo ace comfortably defeated Sam Temple from Kildare in the quarter-finals and followed that win with a 21-12, 21-11 defeat of Newport’s Ciaran Burke in the semi-final. Cooney faced Limerick’s C J Fitzpatrick in the decider on Sunday last.

Robbie McCarthy created his own bit of history by becoming the first Westmeath handballer to win the All-Ireland softball crown.

Mayo was at the centre of the Irish handball world last weekend with not one but two major sporting events attracting large attendances and much to talk about. While the game’s top seniors did battle over two days at the second John Gaffney memorial tournament in Ballaghaderreen, girls of all ages had a weekend event all to themselves with the inaugural Go Handball Tournament at six Mayo venues on Saturday and Sunday.

Kilkenny handball legend Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh bowed out of the All-Ireland 60x30 Senior Singles championships when he lost to Westmeath young-gun, Robbie McCarthy 21-11, 21-19 following a weekend of exciting GAA handball action.

When Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy takes to the court against Kilkenny legend, Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh on Saturday next, any hero worshipping will be left outside the alley.

Handball

Kilkenny legend, Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh showed he still has what it takes to play at the top level when he saw off the challenge of Cavan’s Michael Finnegan after a well-earned victory in the GAA handball senior singles quarter-final on Saturday last.