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Irish Adult 4-Wall Nationals Preview

The focus of the Irish Handball community turns to Mayo this weekend for the 2017 Adult 4-Wall Nationals, with ten venues across the county hosting games in another huge & hectic weekend of Handball.

Men's Open:

Charlie Shanks retains his top seeding as a result of his Irish #1 Ranking and the current All-Ireland Champ will be bidding to go one better than his last outing in Belfast when he fell short in the Final to Robbie McCarthy. McCarthy, whilst #2 seed will be many peoples favourite given his Golden Gloves success & his run to the Tucson Pro-Stop Final in recent weeks. Both kick out their tournament against young guns in Daniel Relihan & Johnny Woods respectively.

Owen McKenna takes #3 seed with the exclusion of Martin Mulkerrins who is in Uganda in a volunteering mission, and McKenna will face Michael Hedigan of Cork in his opener. Diarmuid Nash has worked his way back up the rankings to a truer ranking and will occupy the #4 seed. He faces tricky opener in talented 2016 Minor Champion Sean Kerr, who he defeated at the QF stages in Belfast. Should he prevail in that he faces a potential QF against his Doubles partner Colin Crehan, that is if Crehan survives a stiff test against Wexford's Gavin Buggy.

Action kicks off at 9.45am on Saturday morning in the double court complex in Ballinrobe, with the QF's set to start from 4pm. Internet dependant, GAA Handball will live stream some of Saturday's games, whilst the HD TV cameras will be on site for Sunday's SF's & Finals.

Ladies Open:

The Ladies Open has a strong 12 player field, with Catriona Casey the favourite. Second seed Martina McMahon has the chance to really stamp her make in the grade as she bids to follow up her impressive win in Tucson with a second successive major title. That consistency has proved elusive from the stylish left hander, but should she arrive with confidence she will have a major say in the outcome of the title.

Aisling Reilly continues her comeback from shoulder surgery and getting another tournament under her belt before Championship will be her key aim. She occupies the #3 seed and a potential SF showdown with McMahon. Roscommon teenager Fiona Tully enters as 4th seed and faces a potential tricky game against a very competitive Ciara Mahon in a pick of the QF's, should McMahon overcome Clare youngster Ella Donnellan.

Similar to the Men's programme, GAA Handball will live stream some of Saturday's games internet dependent, whilst the HD TV cameras will be on site for Sunday's SF's & Finals.

Other Grades:

15 other grades will complete the action with competitors coming from all corners of the country. Top seeds in some of these grades include Cork's David Walsh (23&U), Galway's Diarmuid Mulkerrins (Men's A), Laois' Niamh Dunne (Ladies 23&U) & Limerick's Caitriona Millane (Ladies B).

Check out GAAHandball.ie and our Facebook page for regular updates over the course of the weekend. See below for full fixture list. 

Updated Fixtures

Important Information

Accommodation

International Rules