Dublin’s Carl Browne makes no bones about it – he is a big alley man, through and through, writes Paul Fitzpatrick.
That’s not to say the Kells native isn't partial to the other forms of the game; Browne has won All-Ireland titles in all codes, including Senior Doubles in 40x20, hardball and softball, Intermediate Singles and Minor Doubles in softball and Open Singles at the Irish One Wall Nationals.
But softball, he says, is his number one.
“What’s not to love about big alley? It’s the best game of all codes of handball by far and the doubles aspect of it is probably the best handball to watch for spectators and supporters. For me, it’s the most exciting code of handball,” ‘Boo’ told GAAHandball.ie.
“I think watching 40x20 games, they often don’t live up to 60x30. It’s just a special feeling playing 60x30, those who play it will know what I’m talking about. I’d like to see more people playing it, including the likes of 40x20 senior players, it would be great to get the top lads to play 60x30 over the summer.”
Browne has paired up with partner Eoin Kennedy again for an assault on the Senior Doubles crown they last held in 2015. They opened with a win over Wicklow’s Michael Gregan and Chris Doyle (21-12, 12-21, 11-0).
"We knew it was always going to tough going down to play them., all the quarter-fnals were very evenly matched. We played very well un the first game, we started well and got a good lead on the boys and held it all the way through.
"It was nip and tuck in the second game, the boys played very well towards the end of that game, Chris killed good ball and Michael missed nothing. And then in the tiebreaker, we knew we had to up it and we were comfortable winners then, 11-0, we got it closed out.
“The training has gone well like every other year. We’ve been training a bit cleverer this year, not pushing as hard as we would have in other years so we’re probably a bit fresher going into this year’s championship and feeling good because of that.
With Eoin not playing in the singles championship, the focus is really on the doubles. We were caught in a quarter-final one year against Barry Goff and Tommy Hynes when Eoin was only after beating Robbie McCarthy in the singles the Saturday before and to have to come out and play such a good pair like them, it’s tough going.
“With Eoin not being in the singles championship this year as well, he’s that bit fresher and feeling fit and strong at the moment.”
This Saturday (5pm, Mullingar), they take on very familiar opposition in Brian Carroll and Gary McConnell.
“We’re after playing each other a lot. We played in the 2018 final and then last year in the semi-final down in Wexford. They’re a very good pair, they’ve been there, done that, won so much and the play very well together.
“But we’re not too worried about Gary and Brian, we just have to focus on ourselves and we know that if we play to our own strengths and play our own game, I don’t think there’s anybody that will beat us.”
To win another Senior Doubles title would make all the effort worthwhile, Browne said.
“It would mean everything to win another senior medal. They don’t come around every year. They’re very tough to win so when you get the chance, you really have to take it. But definitely, another doubles title for me and Eoin would mean the world. Hopefully this is our year.”