It's starting to get serious now in the 2017 O'Neill's 40x20 Singles Championships, with 4 Men's QF's on show this weekend.
The top QF is the only QF set for Sunday, as 4 time finalist Charly Shanks of Armagh edges closer to yet another final appearance, potentially his 3rd in a row. Standing in his way however is 2009 Doubles Champion Joe McCann (Mayo), who has amassed huge big game experience in his years playing at the top level. Shanks saw off Kildare's Paul Moran last weekend, and will start as favourite, but McCann is a talented player and will be buoyed by his tiebreak win over Colin Crehan on Saturday, when he came from 17-8 down to claim a 21-18 win.
The second QF will guarantee us a first time semi-finalist as Kilkenny's Patrick Funchion takes on Cork's Brendan Fleming. Funchion was agonisingly defeated 21-20 at this stage last year, but after claiming an excellent tiebreak win over Brian Carroll last weekend he will be confident in going one step further. But Fleming will too, as the Ballydesmond man looked good in seeing off Antrim's Owen McKenna in two straight games last weekend. This is certainly one game that could well go either way.
QF3 is easily the standout fixture of the round, as two men who started the Championship as serious contenders go into the heat of battle. Galway's Martin Mulkerrin's at his best can produce sublime attacking, power Handball, and the #3 seed has been in top form thus far in 2017. But he faces a very smart Handballer in Clare's 2014 finalist Diarmuid Nash. Nash is extremely consistent and his intelligent court craft can leave many players frustrated and puzzled. Having taken a year out last year due to work commitments, Nash is back to top form and will be eager to get one over his good friend and former college mate Mulkerrins. We can't wait for this one!
The final QF sees Robbie McCarthy, a player who is set to go down as one of the games finest, take on Wicklow's Michael Gregan. McCarthy has won the last 3 All-Ireland's, and seems to be getting better year on year. The Westmeath man makes the game look so easy, but in Gregan he faces as good a competitor in the game. Gregan will have to play to his best for the duration of the game if he is to take out the champion, but an excellent win over Eoin Kennedy leaves the Coolboy man in confident mood.
Everything is on the line this weekend with four top quality encounters. Entry will be free at each venue so handball fans are encouraged to get out and watch our beautiful game played by our country's elite!
Men's QF Weekend Fixtures:
- QF1: Armagh (Charly Shanks) v Mayo (Joe McCann) - Sun 2pm, Kells HC
- QF2: Kilkenny (Patrick Funchion) v Cork (Brendan Fleming) - Sat 12pm, Conna HC
- QF3: Galway (Martin Mulkerrins) v Clare (Diarmuid Nash) - Sat 4pm, Kingscourt HC
- QF4: Wicklow (Michael Gregan) v Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy) - Sat 5.30pm, Kingscourt HC