The 2016 All-Ireland Senior Singles Championships kick off this weekend with 7 matches across both the Mens & Ladies Championships.
All players are aiming to take one step closer on #TheRoadToKingscourt for this years All-Ireland Finals Festival Weekend with all Adult Singles (Mens & Ladies) and Juvenile (Singles & Doubles) finals down for decision in what promises to be a huge weekend of Handball on March 18th - 20th.
In Sunday's Mens Championship there are two double headers taking place in Kingscourt (Cavan) & Leixlip (Kildare). Irish #6 Brian Carroll (Meath) is the highest ranked player out this weekend and he will be a strong favourite against last years Intermediate Doubles Champion Pat Conway (Galway). Following this match should be a competitive encounter between Tyrone's Darragh Daly & Kilkenny's Patrick Funchion.
In Leixlip, former Champion Eoin Kennedy takes on Tipperary's Ger Coonan, followed by another intriguing battle between Belfast man Owen McKenna & Kerry's Dominic Lynch.
The Ladies Championship begins with another double header on Saturday night in St Brigid's, Dublin where Ciara Mahon (Kilkenny) faces Ashling O'Keeffe (Cork) at 6pm. This will be followed by Irish #4 Ciana Ni Churraoin (Galway) taking on Down's Lorraine Havern at 7pm. Sunday sees current Leinster Champion Aoife McCarthy (Westmeath) face Kerry's Ashley Prendiville in Nenagh in what is arguably the tie of the round.