All eyes will focus on a series of venues in Kilkenny and Carlow this weekend as the County will play host to the 2012 GAA Handball Irish 60x30 Nationals. There is no doubt that this event has attracted considerable interest in the World Championship year and will provide top class fayre ahead of a summer season of top class 'big court' action.

60x30 National Rules and Information... 

All the fixtures and schedules have been released and GAA Handball Ireland can announce the following information in respect of the format for the event in the weekend ahead:

- All Matches in the Irish 60x30 Nationals will comprise 1 x 31 ace game, including finals.

- Standard rules of 60x30 will apply for all matches. 2 serves will be permitted as per standard rules.

- The 60x30 Challenger 3 Ball will be used for  Girls 13 & Under, Girls 19 & Under and Boys 13 & Under Grades.

- The Adult 60x30 Softball will be used for all other grades. 

The schedule has been drawn up with every player entering the event guaranteed at least 2 matches in the 60x30 Nationals.

Exciting contests in store... 

The event, which was launched for the first time in 2011 as a further promotion of 60x30 handball, will take place in the south of the country this time around with full details and information listed below. Each grade will be played off over the course of the day with all matches played under the new tournament style basis put forward on a trial basis by CCC, with 1 x 31 ace game for each match in each grade.

The Mens Open Doubles last season was won for the first time by Wexford's Barry Goff and Colin Keeling, who of course went on to secure the All Ireland Senior Doubles crown later in the year. Of course the recent Kells tournament victory of Meath's Tom Sheridan and Brian Carroll, defeating Goff and Keeling in the final, adds further interest with Mayo's Dessie Keegan and Joe McCann, who lost out in the 2011 All Ireland Senior doubles final part of a very competitive looking grade.

The 60x30 Nationals also offers the unique opportunity for players from different counties to team up and Robbie McCarthy and Michael Gregan's pairing as well as Eoin Kennedy and Michael Finnegan, who are the reigning World Senior 40x20 doubles champions, makes for a very exciting lineup indeed. 

The famous Talbot's Inch club in Kilkenny will play host to a top class series of matches in the Open Grade this year with all the action scheduled to take place throughout Saturday 16th June, commencing there at 10.00am. 

Every player who has entered the Nationals is guaranteed at least two matches with round robin matches scheduled in grades with smaller numbers to decide the outcome of that particular grade. 

Once again all players and indeed anyone interested in purchasing the unique new 60x30 Nationals Jersey can do so directly through O'Neills online at - CLICK HERE 

M DONNELLY GAA Handball Irish 60x30 Nationals 2012

Boys 13 & Under Doubles

Saturday 16th June 2012, in Clogh, Kilkenny

B13D Quarter-Finals:

1. Sean Kerr/Pauric Mullan (Tyrone) v Anthony Butler/Adam Walsh (Wexford) – 12.00pm

2. Colin Ryan/Jerome Cahill (Tipperary) v Jack Tobin/Kevin Diggins (Kildare) – 12.30pm

3. Shane Dunne/Ciaran Cooney (Kilkenny) v David Walsh/Eoghan Sheehan (Cork) – 11.00am

4. Cian O'Conghaile/Diarmuid Mulkerrins (Galway) v Daniel Kavanagh/Patrick Boland (Wexford) – 11.30am

B13D Cup Semi-Finals:

A. Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2 – 2.00pm

B. Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 – 2.30pm

B13D Cup Final:

Winner Match A v Winner Match B – 3.00pm

B13D PLATE semi-finals:

AA. Loser Match 1 v Loser Match 2 - 1.00pm

BB. Loser Match 3 v Loser Match 4 - 1.30pm

B13D PLATE Final:

Winner Match AA v Winner Match BB – 3.30pm

Boys 15 & Under Doubles:

Saturday 16th June 2012, in Kilfane, Kilkenny

B15D Round 1:

1. Eoin Meagher/Aaron Hogan (Tipperary) v Dion Burke/Roy Cullen (Kilkenny) – 9am

2. Shane Flynn/Daniel Moynihan (Cork) v Liam Bradshaw/Dean Foley (Tipperary) – 9.30am

B15D Quarter-Finals:

3. Robert Fox/Daniel Curry (Meath/Wicklow) v Winner Match 1 – 11.00am

4. Oisin Foley/Tomas Hall (Wexford) v JJ English/Sean Carey (Kilkenny) – 10.00am

5. Evan Murphy/Denis Donegan (Meath/Limerick) v Padraig Cooney/Dylan Caulfield (Kilkenny) – 10.30am

6. Daniel Hayes/Ryan Mullan (Tipperary/Tyrone) v Winner Match 2 – 11.30am

B15D Cup Semi-Finals:

A. Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 – 16.00pm

B. Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6 – 16.30pm

B15D Cup Final:

Winner Match A v Winner Match B – 18.00pm

B15D PLATE quarter-finals:

AA. Loser Match 1 v Loser Match 5 – 15.00pmpm

BB. Loser Match 2 v Loser Match 4 – 15.30pm

B15D PLATE semi-finals:

CC. Loser Match 3 v Winner Match AA – 17.00pm

DD. Loser Match 6 v Winner Match BB -  17.30pm

B15D PLATE Final:

Winner Match CC v Winner Match DD – 18.30pm

Boys 17 & Under Doubles:

Saturday 16th June 2012, in Kilfane, Kilkenny

B17D Section 1: Round Robin:

1. Martin Mullins/Galen Riordain (Carlow/Wexford) v Ronan Egan/Eoin Doyle (Kilkenny) – 12.00pm

2. Jason Cahill/Mikey Maher (Tipperary) v Martin Mullins/Galen Riordain (Carlow/Wexford) 13.00pm

3. Ronan Egan/Eoin Doyle (Kilkenny) v Jason Cahill/Mikey Maher (Tipperary) – 14.00pm

B17D Section 2: Round Robin:

1. Michael Hedigan/Daniel Relihan (Cork) v Brian Mahon/John Walsh (Kilkenny) – 12.30pm

2. Padraig Donohoe/Daniel Hayes (Tipperary) v Michael Hedigan/Daniel Relihan (Cork) 13.30pm

3. Brian Mahon/John Walsh (Kilkenny) v Padraig Donohoe/Daniel Hayes (Tipperary) – 14.30pm

B17D Cup Final:

Winner Section 1 v Winner Section 2 – 19.30pm

B17D PLATE Final:

Runner Up Section 1 v Runner Up Section 2 – 19.00pm

Girls 13 & Under Doubles:

Sunday 17th June 2012, in Clogh, Kilkenny

G13D Section 1: Round Robin:

1. Catriona Lawlor/Sorcha Delaney (Kilkenny) v Leah Doyle/Niamh Masterson (Kildare) – 9am

2. Sinead Meagher/Ella Donnellan (Tipperary) v Catriona Lawlor/Caoimhe O Shea (Kilkenny) – 10.00am

3. Leah Doyle/Niamh Masterson (Kildare) v Sinead Meagher/Ella Donnellan (Tipperary) – 10.30am

G13D Section 2: Round Robin:

1. Hannah Dagg/Fiona Tully (Kildare/Roscommon) v Aoife Holden/Dearbhaill O'Keefe (Kilkenny) 9.30am

G13D Cup Final:

Winner Section 1 v Winner Section 2 – 12.30pm

G13D PLATE Final:

Runner Up Section 1 v Runner Up Section 2 – 12.00pm

Girls 19 & Under Doubles:

Sunday 17th June 2012, in Clogh, Kilkenny

G19D Cup Semi-Finals:

A. Ciara Mahon/Mary Phelan (Kilkenny) v Maeve McElduff/Aoife Kelly (Tyrone) – 11am

B. Lauren O'Riordain/Ciana Ní Churraoin (Roscommon/Galway) v Denise Love/Aishling Maher (Kilkenny) 11.30am

G19D Cup Final:

Winner Match A v Winner Match B – 13.30pm

G19D PLATE Final:

Loser Match A v Loser Match B – 13.00pm

Mens Open Doubles:

Saturday 16th June 2012, in Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny

MO Round 1: Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny

10.00am: 1. Vinnie Moran/Campbell Brennan (Mayo) v Nicky Anthony/Brian Manogue (Kilkenny) 

10.30am: 2. Dominick Lynch/Gavin Buggy (Kerry/Wexford) v Shane O'Neill/Partner (Tyrone) 

MO Quarter-Finals: Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny

11.00am: 3. Barry Goff/Colin Keeling (Wexford) v Winner Match 1 

11.30am: 4. Robbie McCarthy/Michael Gregan (Westmeath/Wicklow) v Seamus O'Carroll/CJ Fitzpatrick (Limerick) 

12.15pm: 5. Dessie Keegan/Joe McCann (Mayo) v Eoin Kennedy/Michael Finnegan (Dublin/Cavan) 

1.00pm: 6. Tom Sheridan/Brian Carroll (Meath)v Winner Match 2 

MO Cup Semi-Finals: Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny

2.30pm: A. Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 

3.00pm: B. Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6 

MO Cup Final: Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny

6.30pm: Winner Match A v Winner Match B 

MO PLATE quarter-finals: Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny

1.30pm: AA. Loser Match 1 v Loser Match 5

2.00pm: BB. Loser Match 2 v Loser Match 4 

MO PLATE semi-finals: Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny

3.45pm: CC. Loser Match 3 v Winner Match AA 

4.15pm: DD. Loser Match 6 v Winner Match BB 

MO PLATE Final: Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny

5.45pm: Winner Match CC v Winner Match DD

Mens B Doubles:

Saturday 16th June 2012, in Mullinavat, Kilkenny 

Mens B Section 1: Mullinavat, Kilkenny

9am - 1. David Hickey/Michael Carroll (Tipperary) v David Hope/Paul Lambert (Offaly) 

11am -2. Shane Rossiter/Phillip Coleman (Wexford) v David Hickey/Michael Carroll (Tipperary) 
13.00pm - 3. Shane Rossiter/Phillip Coleman (Wexford) v David Hope/Paul Lambert (Offaly)

Mens B Section 2: Mullinavat, Kilkenny

9.30am - 1. Denis White/John Ferncombe (Tipperary) v Jamie Murray/Martin Raftery (Leitrim) 

11.30am - 2. Darren O’Toole/Malachy Whelan (Wexford) v Denis White/John Ferncombe (Tipperary)
13.30pm - 3. Darren O’Toole/Malachy Whelan (Wexford) v Jamie Murray/Martin Raftery (Leitrim) 

Mens B Section 3: Mullinavat, Kilkenny

10.00am - 1. Peter Reilly/Joe Cummins (Meath) v John Keyes/Ken Bourke (Limerick) 

12.00pm - 2. Robert Cleary/Adrian Benson (Wicklow) v Peter Reilly/Joe Cummins (Meath)
14.00pm - 3. John Keyes/Ken Bourke (Limerick) v Peter Reilly/Joe Cummins (Meath)

Mens B Section 4: Mullinavat, Kilkenny

10.30am - 1. James Gregan/Partner (Wicklow) v Ger Anthony/Ger McGrath (Kilkenny)

12.30pm - 2. Donnacha O’Dea/Brendan Fleming (Cork) v James Gregan/Partner (Wicklow)
14.30pm - 3. Donnacha O’Dea/Brendan Fleming (Cork) v Ger Anthony/Ger McGrath (Kilkenny)

Mens B Semi-Finals: Mullinavat, Kilkenny

16.00pm - 3. Winner Section 1 v Winner Section 2

16.30pm - 4. Winner Section 3 v Winner Section 2

Mens B Final: Mullinavat, Kilkenny

17.30pm - A. Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 

Mens B PLATE semi-finals: Mullinavat, Kilkenny

15.00pm - CC. R-Up Section 1 v R-Up Section 2 

15.30pm - DD. R-Up Section 3 v R-Up Section 4

Mens B PLATE Final: Mullinavat, Kilkenny

17.00pm - Winner Match CC v Winner Match DD

Mens C Doubles:

Saturday 16th June 2012, in Garryhill, Carlow

Mens C Section 1: Garryhill, Carlow

1. Aengus Frawley/Patrick Frawley (Limerick) v Micheal Busher/Patrick Haughton (Wexford) – 9am

2. Dale Cusack/Ken O Neill (Cork) v Aengus Frawley/Patrick Frawley (Limerick) – 11am
3. Micheal Busher/Patrick Haughton (Wexford) v Dale Cusack/Ken O Neill (Cork) – 13.00pm

Mens C Section 2: Garryhill, Carlow

1. Mark O Donovan/John Fitzgerald (Limerick/Kilkenny) v Noel Moroney/Kevin Kennedy (Tipperary) – 9.30am

2. Diarmuid Burke/Brendan Burke (Kilkenny) v Mark O Donovan/John Fitzgerald (Limerick/Kilkenny) – 11.30am
3. Diarmuid Burke/Brendan Burke (Kilkenny) v v Noel Moroney/Kevin Kennedy (Tipperary) -13.30pm

Mens C Section 3: Garryhill, Carlow

1. Denis Lenihan/Shane Spillane (Tipperary) v Frank Maddock/Seamus O Neill (Wexford) 10.00am

2. Phillip O Carroll/Christopher Enright(Limerick/Cork) v Denis Lenihan/Shane Spillane (Tipperary) – 12.00pm
3. Phillip O Carroll/Christopher Enright(Limerick/Cork) v v Frank Maddock/Seamus O Neill (Wexford) – 14.00pm

Mens C Section 4: Garryhill, Carlow

1. Sean Murphy/Anthony Donnelly (Limerick) v Seamus O Neill/Alan O Neill (Wexford) 10.30am

2. Michael Donovan/Mike O Toole (Laois/Limerick) v Sean Murphy/Anthony Donnelly (Limerick) 12.30pm
3. Seamus O Neill/Alan O Neill (Wexford) v Michael Donovan/Mike O Toole (Laois/Limerick) – 14.30pm

Mens C Semi-Finals: Garryhill, Carlow

3. Winner Section 1 v Winner Section 2 – 16.00pm

4. Winner Section 3 v Winner Section 2 – 16.30pm

Mens C Final: Garryhill, Carlow

A. Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 17.30pm

Mens C PLATE semi-finals: Garryhill, Carlow

CC. R-Up Section 1 v R-Up Section 2 – 15.00pm

DD. R-Up Section 3 v R-Up Section 4 – 15.30pm

Mens C PLATE Final: Garryhill, Carlow

Winner Match CC v Winner Match DD – 17.00pm

Ruby Masters Doubles:

Sunday 17th June 2012, in Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny

Ruby Masters Doubles: Round Robin:

1. Tom Rossiter/Tom Donohoe (Wexford) v Seamus Reade/Paddy Reilly (Kilkenny) – 9am

2. Marcus Henry/Partner (Dublin) v Tom Rossiter/Tom Donohoe (Wexford) – 10.30am

3. Seamus Reade/Paddy Reilly (Kilkenny) v Marcus Henry/Partner (Dublin) 12.00pm

Masters Doubles:

Sunday 17th June 2012, in Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny

Masters Doubles: Round Robin:

1. Tommy Hynes/Paul Carthy (/Wexford) v Pat Quaile/Partner (Wicklow) – 9.30am

2. Eddie Bourke/Nicky Reilly (Kilkenny) v Tommy Hynes/Paul Carthy (/Wexford) – 11.00am

3. Pat Quaile/Partner (Wicklow) v Jason Eddie Bourke/Nicky Reilly (Kilkenny) 12.30pm

Masters B Doubles:

Sunday 17th June 2012, in Talbot's Inch, Kilkenny

Masters B Doubles: Round Robin:

1. Paul Hynes/Paul Maher (Tipperary) v Mike O Connor/Pat Murphy (Limerick) - 10.00am

2. John Lee/David Tobin (Tipperary) v Paul Hynes/Paul Maher (Tipperary)  – 11.30am

3. Mike O Connor/Pat Murphy (Limerick) v John Lee/David Tobin (Tipperary) - 13.00pm

Golden Masters Doubles:

Sunday 17th June 2012, in Mullinavat, Kilkenny

Golden Masters Doubles: Round Robin:

9am - 1. John Hedigan/John Herlihy(Cork) v Eamonn Purcell/James Purcell (Kilkenny) 

10.00am - 2. Andy Ryan/John Rossiter (Carlow) v John Hedigan/John Herlihy(Cork) 

11.00am - 3. Eamonn Purcell/James Purcell (Kilkenny) v Andy Ryan/John Rossiter (Carlow)

Mens 23 & Under Doubles:

Sunday 17th June 2012, in Mullinavat, Kilkenny

Mens 23 & Under Doubles: Round Robin:

9.30am - 1. Ian McLoughlin/Stephen Cooney (Mayo) v Niall O Connor/Tadhg O Carroll (Kildare/Cork) 

10.30am - 2. Ciaran Neary/Patrick Funchion (Kilkenny) v Ian McLoughlin/Stephen Cooney (Mayo)

11.30am - 3. Ciaran Neary/Patrick Funchion (Kilkenny) v Niall O Connor/Tadhg O Carroll