The Mens and Ladies Singles 40x20 Open Championships in each of the four provinces are just a week away but the Leinster Mens competition is down for decision this weekend.
The Leinster Mens Championship is down to the quarter final stage, with the first of these taking place tonight with Brian Carroll versus Gavin Buggy in Tinryland at 8pm. The action begins in earnest tomorrow with games being played in Cullohill and Monavea. Robbie McCarthy All Ireland Senior Singles Champion is the number one seed and he will fancy his chances to make it to Sunday’s final in Coolboy were he will most likely face Brian Carroll or Peter Funchion but time will tell. The Leinster Ladies competition is not on until next weekend with five Ladies all with aspirations in taking home the title.
In Connacht Martin Mulkerrins is the number 1 seed and if everything goes to plan he will face Joe McCann in Sunday week final. In the Connacht Ladies championship there is only a final this year with Ciana Ni Churraoin versus Lauran O’Riordan which is down for decision on Saturday 23rd January at 3pm in Williamstown.
The Munster championships are probably the most competitive of all. In the Mens Singles you have Diarmuid Nash, Dominic Lynch, CJ Fitzpatrick, Brendan Fleming and Colin Crehan to name just a few. While in the Ladies competition the Cork ace Catriona Casey will fancy her chances but she could be pushed all the way this year with the ever improving Martina McMahon after her Intermediate success last year.
In the Ulster Mens competition you can’t bet beyond Charly Shanks in claiming the title again this year. Also in the mix in the bottom half of the draw is Michael Finnegan and Ricky McCann, but others will have their own aspirations. In the Ladies All Ireland Champion Aisling Reilly will be the hot favourite but Lorraine Havern will be looking forward to the challenge in the final.
Full fixtures for the provincial competitions are attached with the Men’s provincial winner’s qualifying for the All-Ireland quarter-final.While the Men’s provincial runner-up advances to the last twelve. All remaining senior men’s players who competed in the provincial championship will qualify to compete in a qualifier competition if they so wish. Entries forms for the Men’s Senior Singles back door competition have been emailed out to all Co. Secretaries via their official handball email address and must be returned to the GAA Handball Office by Friday 29th January.
The Ladies Senior Singles All Ireland Competition is by entry form only and these have also been emailed out to all Co. Secretaries and must also be returned by Friday 29th January.
Connacht 40x20 Open Singles Championship Fixtures
Leinster 40x20 Open Singles Championship Fixtures
Munster 40x20 Open Singles Championship Fixtures
Ulster 40x20 Open Singles Championship Fixtures