It's Semi-Final Saturday in the 2017 O'Neills 40x20 Singles Championship as both Mens & Ladies SF's are set for Kingscourt HC from 2pm this Saturday 4th March.
All 8 players involved have one final hurdle to cross in order to get the opportunity to take centre stage at the Finals Festival Weekend in a fortnights time in front of packed crowds.
First up is the Ladies SF's from 2pm, with Catriona Casey (Cork) strong favourite against last years Minor Champion and gifted young star Fiona Tully (Roscommon). It is a big leap for Tully in her maiden year competing at Senior level, especially against the champion who is chasing her 3rd title, but the St Coman's club woman certainly has the skill set to cause Casey some trouble.
Martina McMahon (Limerick) has showed in the last 5 months that she is ready for the big time, winning her first 60x30 title, and following it up victory at January's She's Ace Weekend. Given her recent form she will enter as favourite against Galway's Ciana Ni Churraoin. However Ni Churraoin is no stranger to success after a trophy laden juvenile career so will provide a stern test for McMahon.
At 3pm the first Men's SF sees Armagh's Charly Shanks bid to reach his 3rd consecutive final when he takes on maiden semi-finalist Brendan Fleming (Cork). Shanks is currently ranked #1 in the Irish Rankings so will start as favourite in many peoples eyes. Fleming has had a nice run of results of late though so he will be brimming with confidence to cause an upset.
Following that sees the game of the day as reigning champion Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath) takes on Galway shooter Martin Mulkerrins. The Moycullen man showed resolve to come from a game down in last weekends QF to Diarmuid Nash to prevail in a marathon tiebreak, but against the man chasing his 4th title in a row, he will have to storm out of the blocks and put the sensationally talented McCarthy on the back foot from the off.
All games will be streamed live on GAA Handball's Facebook page, however with 4 top games in the one venue, we encourage Handball fans to come and be there on the day to support our top players, and to experience the irreplaceable atmosphere of Championship action.
Senior Singles SF Fixtures - Sat 4th March
Kingscourt Ct 1, Cavan @ 2pm
- Ladies SF1: Cork (Catriona Casey) v Roscommon (Fiona Tully)
Kingscourt Ct 2, Cavan @ 2pm
- Ladies SF2: Galway (Ciana Ni Churraoin) v Limerick (Martina McMahon)
Kingscourt Ct 1, Cavan @ 3pm
- Men’s SF1: Armagh (Charly Shanks) v Cork (Brendan Fleming)
- Men’s SF2: Galway (Martin Mulkerrins) v Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy)