The latest installment in the blockbuster trilogy that is McCarthy v Shanks is due for release on Saturday 18th March, 2017.
The first installment in 2015 was a gripping affair that saw a nail biting climax and a comeback of epic proportions from McCarthy. The second didn’t quite live up to the hype of the first and saw a dominant McCarthy control the game winning in two. So what will number 3 hold? Will it be third time lucky for Shanks or will McCarthy cement his place as the top Handballer in the country at this moment.
This time McCarthy’s comeback came in the semi-final following an incredible comeback from one game and 20-13 down in the second to win 21-20 force a third and win that 21-11 against Galway’s Martin Mulkerrins. Mulkerrins at times looked awesome throughout the semi-final and certainly had the Mullingar man on the rack. However it takes real character to dig deep when staring defeat square in the face and to complete the win in such confidence shows that until the 21st ace is secured McCarthy is never beaten.
Shanks on the other hand came through relatively unscathed in his meeting with Cork’s Brendan Fleming booking his place with a 21-10, 21-12 scoreline in a game that he was never really under threat. He has looked comfortable in all his games so far defeating Tyrone’s Ryan Mullan and Kildare’s Paul Moran before receiving a walk over from the injured Joe McCann in the Quarter Finals. It wasn’t ideal preparation for Shanks but he is happy to be in another final.
Following, in his own words, a “very cagey semi-final” Shanks spoke about looking forward to another final occasion “It’s my third final in a row so I have a lot of experience at this stage, it doesn’t get any easier and you still get the nerves but they are a good thing, if you didn’t get nerves it would mean you didn’t want to be there. I’m looking forward to it now”
McCarthy fresh from his great escape admitted he was lucky to be still in the race “I wasn’t let get going in the first. Martin played really well and my plan was just to stay in there. I was lucky to get through and am happy with the result” However in an ominous warning to those who think he won’t be at full tilt for the final he confidently declared “I’ll be ready for two weeks’ time”
So the third installment of this trilogy is all set to go. Will Shanks get his hands on a Hollywood ending and finally capture the elusive All Ireland title he desperately craves or will McCarthy ride off into the sunset with yet another title in the bag.
Get your seats early because this is going to be a sell out.