A Minor Doubles winner in 2016, and a World 17&U Champion in 2015, Wexford’s Daniel Kavanagh is no stranger to success on the juvenile scene. But Saturday sees him compete in his maiden adult final as he looks to fast track himself into the Irish Senior Ranks.
After accounting for Mayo’s Ian McLoughlin in the SF, Kavanagh now faces the more experienced Cork man Tadgh Carroll in the Intermediate Singles Final as part of a major weekend of Handball in Kingscourt at the 2017 O’Neills All-Ireland 40x20 Finals Festival.
”My semi-final was a tough battle against Ian. It was a long trip up to Newport on the Sunday morning but the toughest thing was trying to get the better of Ian in his home alley. He's a very talented player and I had to pull out all stops to win the match.”
“For my first year out of Minor, to be totally honest I did not expect to make the Intermediate final. At the beginning of the year I set out a new training and diet plan for the coming season and told myself that I would train as hard as possible and see how it goes. Thankfully it all aided my form and drove me to the final.”
Standing in his way is Mallow club man Carroll, who himself has shown consistently high levels of performance in 2017, and he accounted for Tyrone’s Shane O’Neill in a tricky SF in Mallow a fortnight ago. Kavanagh admits to having never seen Carroll play 40x20 before, but accepts he is a “hard working athlete that puts a lot of dedication into his training who will be a very tough opponent!”
Kavanagh is one of three St Joseph’s players represented this weekend, with his Senior Doubles partner Gavin Buggy in the Over 35 Final, and Cora Doyle competing in the Ladies Minor Final. So we can expect a large supporting contingent from the south east.
“As always I will have the Wexford gang with me ! No matter where I go to play all the Wexford supporters would always be there, and even more so now because Gavin & Cora are playing too.”
Last years Festival saw record numbers spectating the various Adult Finals due to them all being played under the one roof. And big crowds are expected again this year, but that doesn’t bother the Wexford man at all.
“I have played in big games before with massive crowds so thankfully pressure and being nervous is not a factor in my game that I have to fight against. I am really looking forward to finals weekend in Kingscourt! It has been one the best finals venues that I have played in, the atmosphere is always buzzing!”
