A huge weekend of handball action serves off at the National Handball Centre, Croke Park tomorrow morning (Saturday) with oneills.com All-Ireland doubles semi-finals down for decision in adult and Masters grades as well as a full programme of juvenile All-Ireland semi-finals which are taking place at regional venues.
Pride of place goes to the oneills.com All-Ireland Senior Doubles semi-finals in the men’s and ladies’ grades.
The men’s semi-finals look particularly evenly-poised, with two sets of former champions meeting in one while last year’s finalists take on one of the top pairings in the country in the other.
All three 40x20 courts at Croke Park will be utilised tomorrow. Action begins at 10am and the Senior Doubles serve off as the fifth match in the show court.
First up is the pre-eminent doubles pair, Catriona Casey and Aishling O’Keeffe of Cork, against Tyrone lefty-right combo Eilise McCrory and Aoife Kelly. While the Ulster duo are a fine partnership, the Rebels will be fancied to extend their winning run.
In the other semi-final, Galway’s Ciana Ní Churraoin and Niamh Heffernan take on Clare’s Leah Minogue and Cathriona Millane. The Tribeswomen lost year’s decider to Cork in a nailbiting 11-10 tiebreaker and will be favourites to return to the final against the talented young Banner duo.
Clare are again represented in the first of the Men’s Senior Doubles semi-finals as defending champions Diarmaid Nash and Colin Crehan (below) take on big alley kings and former 4-wall winners Brian Carroll and Gary McConnell from Meath.
This has the makings of an excellent clash. Nash’s pinpoint accuracy, fly-kills and outstanding defensive game allied to Crehan’s power, flat kills and explosiveness have made them the team to beat in recent years but the well-balanced Kells pair are vastly experienced and will not be daunted by the occasion, so a terrific tussle is in store.
In the other semi, Cork’s Daniel Relihan and Michael Hedigan take on brothers Peter and Patrick Funchion from Kilkenny. The Liscarrol men made their first senior final in the 4-wall code last year and combine very well, Relihan’s eye-catching shot-making complemented by Hedigan’s superb reach and rock-solid right-side play.
The Funchions, however, are a very strong, tough and experienced team who are both comfortable shooting the ball but are also exceptionally strong in defence. This, too, could go all the way.
Action serves off at Croke Park at 10am and show court matches will be streamed live on the Sport TG4 YouTube page.
Among the other attractive matches on the stream will be the Masters A semi-finals, which features the return of Paul Brady to competitive action, and the Minor Doubles semi-finals.
Fixture details here .