Martin Mulkerrins takes the top seeding in what is a very eagerly anticipated return to elite 4-Wall Handball this weekend at the 33rd Golden Gloves in Belfast.
Mulkerrins has his postponed 2020 All-Ireland 4-Wall Final to complete in a few weeks time and will see the Gloves as the perfect opportunity to get some vital competitive action under his belt. His opponent in that final, Robbie McCarthy is the only major contender not featuring this weekend, in what is an otherwise stacked draw.
Diarmaid Nash enters the fray at #2 seed, and the astute lefty takes on either Sean Kerr of Tadgh Carroll, before potentially setting up a QF showdown with fellow Munster left hander Dominic Lynch.
Charly Shanks will be an adopted home town high hope and at #3, the wily Lurgan man will be eyeing up a potential SF showdown with Nash.
Sitting quietly at #4 is a name everyone will be delighted to see return, Paul Brady. Brady made his return to the Irish elite single scene at the last 4-Wall Nationals in February 2020, withdrawing mid tussle with Robbie McCarthy at the SF stage. The Cavan star is eyeing up a US Nationals title in December, and will no doubt deliver more scintillating Handball this weekend.
It is difficult to know what to expect from the players this weekend given the lengthy layoff, but one thing for certain is that the fans can't wait to see some top class action on the courts again.
Keep up to date with results across GAA Handball social media channels all weekend, and join us from Sunday morning for a Live Facebook Stream of the SF's & Finals from 11.30am.
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Prelims (Friday from 5.30pm):
- Gary McConnell v David Walsh
- Daniel Relihan v Shanne Dunne
- Jordan O'Neill v Diarmuid Mulkerrins
- Kevin Diggins v Ryan Mullan
- Gavin Coyle v Séan Ó Cleirigh
- Michael Hedigan v Owen McKenna
- Sean Kerr v Tadgh Carroll
Last 16 (Saturday):
- Martin Mulkerrins v Gary McConnell / David Walsh
- Michael Gregan v Ger Coonan
- Colin Crehan v Daniel Relihan / Shane Dunne
- Paul Brady v Jordan O'Neill / Diarmuid Mulkerrins
- Charly Shanks v Kevin Diggins / Ryan Mullan
- Niall O'Connor v Gavin Coyle / Séan Ó Cleirigh
- Dominic Lynch v Michael Hedigan / Owen McKenna
- Diarmaid Nash v Sean Kerr / Tadgh Carroll