The 60x30 season moves into gear this weekend with the 2016 Irish 60x30 Nationals in Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford & Tipperary venues.
16 players have entered the Men's Open grade, with Dublin's Eoin Kennedy the strong favourite to come out on top. The 9 time Senior Singles champ has reached the last 12 consecutive All-Ireland Finals, with only Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy defeating him in that period, but McCarthy is absent this weekend.
Mens Open:
The top half of the Mens Open draw will take place in Talbots Inch on Saturday. Kennedy takes on Tyrone teenager Ryan Mullan in his opener, with the winner playing into 2014 Intermediate champ Gary McConnell (Meath) or last years Senior Doubles Finalist Ciaran Neary (Kilkenny). Also on the bill is the meeting of Gavin Buggy (Wexford) v David Hope (Offaly), with the winner taking on 4th seed CJ Fitzpatrick (Limerick) or Brian Manogue (Kilkenny) in the QF.
In Cashel, the first game in the bottom half of the draw is 3rd seed Ger Coonan (Tipperary) v Eddie Bourke (Kilkenny), with the winner playing into Dominic Lynch (Kerry) or Carl Browne (Dublin). One of the ties of the round will be 5 time Senior Doubles champ Brian Carroll (Meath) v last years Intermediate champ Paudi Quish (Limerick). The final first round game will see the vastly experienced second seed Ducksy Walsh (Kilkenny) face Barry Devlin (Tyrone).
All first round & QF games will take place on Saturday, with both SF's (10am) & Final (2pm) down for decision in Talbots Inch on Sunday.
Ladies Open:
Winner of the last 4 consecutive Senior Singles titles, Cork's Catriona Casey will start as huge favourite to add another title to her ever growing collection. She joins Ciara Mahon (Kilkenny) & Niamh Dunne (Laois) in her round robin group, with the winner progressing to face the Group B winner. Top seed in Group B will be former three time champ Ashley Prendiville (Kerry), who will be joined by Casey's long time successful Doubles partner Aishling O'Keefe (Cork), and exciting teenage prospect Hannah Dagg (Kildare).
The Ladies Open group games will all take place in New Ross on Saturday, before the action turns to Talbot's Inch for Sunday's 1pm Final.
60x30 Nationals Draws (Updated Friday afternoon)
Other Grades:
Across the remaining 10 grades there are some exciting tussles expected, especially in the juvenile grades. An 8 strong field in the B17&U Doubles will be spearheaded by Kilkenny duo Shane Dunne & Padraig Cooney, whilst the Marble county will also claim top seeds in the B15&U and B13&U grades. Billy O'Neill & Kyle Dunne are the pairing to beat the the B15's, whilst a very exciting young pairing of Billy Drennan & Jack Doyle will be a very strong pairing in the B13's.
Dearbhail O'Keefe & Aoife Holden (Kilkenny) take top billing in the G17&U, but should face stiff competition from the likes of second seeds Fiona Tully & Aoife Floyd (Ros/Clare). Mollie Dagg & Leah Doyle (Kildare) are two excellent juvenile prospects and the pair take top seed in the G15&U grade, whilst Noelle Dowling & Amy Brennan (Kilkenny) take top spot in the G13&U.
60x30 National Rules and Information...
- All Cup matches in the Irish 60x30 Nationals will comprise 2 x 15 ace game & tie-break to 11 if required, including finals.
- All Plate matches (Doubles Events) in the Irish 60x30 Nationals will comprise 1 x 25 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, 15, 17 & 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 two matches in the event.