The final Open Ranking event of the season before Championship takes place this weekend with the 2019 Adult 40x20 Nationals taking place in Mayo & Galway venues.
In the Men's Open grade, Clare's Diarmaid Nash takes #1 seed and is the clear form player in the country this season with 2 wins and one 2nd placing from three events. With no Nationals having taken place in 2018, the Tuamgraney man is still the reigning Nationals champion.
#2 seed is Martin Mulkerrins, with the Galway man being the only player to put a blemish on Nash's record thus far this season, defeating him in the Moycullen Open Final via a tiebreak. Mulkerrins kicks off his event with a first round clash with David Walsh (Cork) as he puts the final touches before his bid to retain his All-Ireland title next month.
#3 seed is the ever dangerous Robbie McCarthy. Mullingar's McCarthy has only played in two events this season, a SF placing in Moycullen was followed up with a 2nd placing at the Gaffney Memorial, falling to Nash in the final. McCarthy is a three time All-Ireland and a two time Nationals champion and will have a major say on where the crown goes this weekend.
Another Clare man makes up the top 4 in Kilkishen's Colin Crehan. When's Crehan's game is on song he can be immense, and he will be hoping this weekend is the weekend where he wins his maiden Senior Singles title. He takes on Offaly's David Hope in his opener.
View Updated Draws - Friday (Night)
Following her win in January's She's Ace Final, Catriona Casey takes top seed in the Ladies Open grade. Reigning All-Ireland champion Martina McMahon enters the fray as #2 seed, whilst Aisling Reilly takes #3 in her first outing since October's Golden Gloves.
With the three aforementioned players entering as strong favourites, there is an exciting bunch of young players in the field hoping to make a name for themselves, including Leah Doyle, Niamh Heffernan, Sinead Meagher & Fiona Tully to name but a few.
The Ladies matches take place in Abbeyknockmoy on Saturday, before moving to Claregalway on Sunday for the SF's & Final.
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Aside from the open grades there are of course a host of other adult grades spread across Mayo & Galway venues. Best of luck to all competitors!
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Follow GAA Handball on Facebook for score updates as they happen. We will also be streaming Sunday's games live and free so make sure to check it out.
