Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy and Carl Browne continued their successful partnership on Saturday as they captured their third major doubles title by defeating Limerick's CJ Fitzpatrick and Pat Murphy 21-16, 21-16 in the Senior Hardball Doubles Final in Thurles. This caps a remarkable period for the Dublin duo who now hold all three major Doubles titles having previously won the 40x20 title in March and the 60x30 title last October.
The first game was a terrific game with the team’s level on no fewer that four times during it, first at 2 all, followed by a quick spurt by Limerick to lead 6-2 before Kennedy with some great serving took it back to 6 all. But Limerick got back in and with some great serving and killing especially by Fitzpatrick went 15-8 up. Then there was another great kill by CJ to put Limerick 16-10 up. At this stage Dublin moved into third gear and they soon brought it back to 16 all before closing out the first game 21-16.
The second game proved very similar to the first with it all square at 7 all before Limerick edged ahead 9-7 and then 13-9, but once again this Dublin pair was not going to lie down and they rallied to level it at 13 all. The game was finely poised at this stage and the large crowd were on the edge of there seats, soon it was level again – now 14 all. But Browne went on a service roll at this stage to make it 18-14 before Kennedy killed another in the right corner to make it 19-14. Limerick brought it back to 16-19 but the Dubs finished strongly to take the second and the match 21-16, 21-16 to crown a magical year with the three Senior Open Titles in the bag.
In the Minor Hardball Doubles Final Kilkenny’s Shane Dunne and Eoin Brennan were up against Patrick Murphy and Martin Mulhern of Mayo. The Mayo side were the first to settle and led 10-4, but Kilkenny fought back to trail 8-10. Mayo extended their lead to 12-8 before Kilkenny levelled it at 12 all and for the first time Kilkenny edged ahead 13-12. But Mayo found their form again and led 15-13 but once again Kilkenny levelled it at 15 all. Mayo again went into the lead before Mulhern with a right corner dive and kill shot, made it 18-15 in Mayo’s favour. The tension was high at this stage but Mayo closed out the game to take the first 21-15.
The second game was Kilkenny’s from start to finish with the Dunne/Brennan partnership always in control and they took it 21-8 to set up a mouth watering tie-break. Once again Kilkenny started brightly and quickly led 9-2 before extended this to 15-2. But Mayo fought strongly and got right back into the match as they trailed 11-16, but Kilkenny came good at the end and with some brilliant serving and great killing by both players they closed out the game and match to win 15-21, 21-8, 21-11.
In the Intermediate grade Tipperary’s Ger Coonan and David Moloney played Cork’s Daniel Relihan and John Hedigan, there was a cagey start between both pairings with little between the teams with it level at 3 all. But Tipperary moved into second gear and soon they led 10-5 before taking the first 21-5. The second game proved very similar with Tipperary always on top and they took it also 21-5.
Finally the Junior Doubles Final was played in Mullingar were Cork’s Michael Hedigan and Donnacha O’Dea played Barry Devlin and Gabhain McCrystal of Tyrone. The first was a tight game but Tyrone won it 21-16 but Cork conformable won the second and the tie-break to win the title on a scoreline of 16-21, 21-3, 21-6.
GAA Handball would like to thank both venues for their hospitality, also thanks to all the referees and all who supported the players in their respective finals. The action next weekend is now focused on the Singles Finals. In the Seniors Eoin Kennedy is going for his ninth title and he is up against CJ Fitzpatrick. The action begins next Saturday 4th June at 3pm in Thurles – more about this and the other finals later in the week.
GAA Handball All Ireland Hardball Finals – Results
At Thurles, Tipperary
Senior Doubles
Dublin (Eoin Kennedy/Carl Browne) dft Limerick (CJ Fitzpatrick/Pat Murphy) 21-16, 21-16
Minor Doubles
Kilkenny (Shane Dunne/Eoin Brennan) dft Mayo (Patrick Murphy/Martin Mulhern) 15-21, 21-8, 21-11
Intermediate Doubles
Tipperary (Ger Coonan/David Moloney) dft Cork (Daniel Relihan/John Hedigan) 21-5, 21-6
At Mullingar, Westmeath
Junior Doubles
Cork (Michael Hedigan/Donnacha O’Dea) dft Tyrone (Barry Devlin/Gabhainn McCrystal) 16-21, 21-3, 21-6