In the first of the Men’s semi-finals, defending champion Robbie McCarthy turned in a masterclass against Senior Doubles champ Gavin Buggy of Wexford, writes Paul Fitzpatrick.
Mullingar’s McCarthy was simply brilliant as he held the centre of the court and forced Buggy back with powerful pass shots, mixing it up with his trademark soft kills in the front en route to a 21-4, 21-1 win.
“I feel like I’m going alright, I don’t think I’m at my best, especially fitness-wise. I’m playing okay, I still should be able to push on to another gear hopefully, I’ll just try and pick it up before the final,” McCarthy commented.
It was Robbie’s first semi-final success in the new show court, which played very well.
“The court seems to be very warm every time I have played in there, it’s very, very warm. You really have to be at the top of your fitness to stick that.
“It’s a lovely court, I really like the complex. Maybe just the window there shining in on the wall, when the sun hits it it’s a bit bright but maybe just a blind there and it’s ideal.
Asked how he stays motivated and doesn’t lose his spark, McCarthy said: “I did (lose motivation) there a couple of years ago, I had a bit of a lull and tried to find something to push me on. With the kids now, I just try to stay fit and just tip along. I don’t say at the start of the year that I want to win this or want to win that, I’m 36 this year so it’s about really competing.
“Martin has six years on me, Diarmaid (Nash) has a couple of years on me, so competing at this stage is probably the main focus.”
The Mullingar man, a member of the Defence Forces, hopes to add the Softball title to the 4-Wall Senior Singles he won earlier in the year.
“I didn’t set any goals to go out and win the small alley, I just said I wanted to test myself this year. I probably trained a bit smarter than normal, because I’m getting a bit older, I gave myself more of a rest and felt a bit stronger.
“It worked out in the small alley, getting to the final of the big alley is obviously my main goal. I still like to be there but I don’t put any more pressure on myself, I’m playing for enjoyment now and naturally enough my job keeps me in good shape, probably not for handball but good physical condition.”
McCarthy has been the pre-eminent senior softball player for some years now and is well positioned to comment on the code itself. He feels more young blood is needed in the big alley as soon as possible.
“Realistically when you look at it, Brian (Carroll), me, Martin, Gary (McConnell), David Hope, we’re mainly all over 30 and a lot of us are eligible for Over 35s and Masters, the same goes for a few more lads like Dominic Lynch and Ger Coonan who weren’t in it this year.
“The young lads coming through are concentrating on their intermediates and things like that. There are two of them definitely coming up and it was great to see them jump into the Open grade at the Nationals, that’s young Jordan and young Finn and they gave good accounts of themselves that day.
“That’s what we want to see, a few more tournaments and a few more young lads jumping into these senior events and trying to make the push. We need to try and get these lads pushing and pushing and get them into the Senior Championship as quickly as possible for the experience and to improve. Otherwise we’re going to be in trouble. The sport needs the young fellas, that’s where the push should be.”
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