By Paul Fitzpatrick
A huge weekend of action serves off at Kingscourt HC tomorrow with the O’Neill’s Senior Singles quarter-finals in men’s and women’s grades down for decision.
First up in court one in the men’s quarter-finals is the meeting of former winner Martin Mulkerrins and Kerry veteran Dominic Lynch. The Moycullen man, consistent as ever on the pre-championship tournament circuit, starts as favourite to overcome the Kingdom lefty, who had an excellent victory over Tyrone’s Sean Kerr last time out, with Mulkerrins seeing off Kilkenny’s Patrick Funchion.
Next up is the clash of two former collegiate rivals, Mayo’s Joe McCann and Armagh’s Charly Shanks. The experienced McCann, a Senior Doubles medallist in 2009 in tandem with Dessie Keegan, showed his class to turn back Kildare citeog Niall O’Connor in a tiebreaker last time out, with six-time finalist Shanks, the 2017 champion, displaying superb form to defeat Brendan Fleming of Cork easily in two games.
The tie of the round in the men’s line-up is surely the clash of Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy and Clare’s Colin Crehan. McCarthy, “the most decorated player in the draw” as Crehan described him this week, has been one of the very best players in the world for a decade, excelling in softball and wallball as well.
The Mullingar maestro missed out on recent tournaments due to work commitments overseas but turned up refreshed and in fine form last week as he blitzed Antrim’s Owen McKenna.
The powerful Crehan, though, comes into this one in the form of his life. The Banner dual star picked up his maiden elite singles title when he won the Irish Nationals in Belfast and his fan-friendly, powerful attacking game should make for an enthralling clash of styles when pitted against McCarthy’s mesmerising court craft, particularly up front.
Last but not least, Clare’s Diarmaid Nash takes on Kilkenny’s Peter Funchion in another intriguing tussle. Nash was very consistent in recent events and is one of the most intelligent players in the game, as he showed when making some mid-match adjustments to turn a recent pro stop final against Killian Carroll on its head.
Nash is one of the very best front-court players there is but Funchion has shown the ability to handle the best players on his day; his aggression and power make him a dangerous opponent for anyone and a super contest is expected.
In the ladies grades, defending champion Martin McMahon meets Roscommon footballer Fiona Tully in what should be an interesting tie. McMahon’s two-handed offense and nerveless attacking play in tight situations has carried her to every honour in the game but she is still returning from injury and the improving, skilful Tully will be hopeful of testing the Treaty ace.
Elsewhere, Armagh dual player Megan McCann, who has made great strides since competitive handball returned, will be hopeful of making her first Senior Singles semi-final when she meets experienced Cork woman Aishling O’Keeffe, who has won countless doubles titles with Catriona Casey and is regarded as a strong singles player in her own right and defeated Galway’s Aisling Mullen in two games last weekend.
Kildare youngster Mollie Dagg, fresh from a tiebreaker win over talented Tipp player Sinead Meagher, meets Tyrone’s Eilise McRory, who has shown very good tournament form, in what should be another highly entertaining clash.
Cork’s Catriona Casey has been her usual self in recent months, dominating events with smooth, error-free defensive nous and exceptional offense and she will look to make the last four once again when she meets Mayo’s Pauline Gallagher, who had an impressive 21-7, 21-10 victory over Wicklow’s Patricia Byrne in the round of 16.
QF action serves off at 11am on Saturday, with SF's starting at the same time on Sunday. Follow results across our social media channels, and watch the SF's Live Stream on GAA Handball's Facebook page.
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Saturday 12th March, Kingscourt, @ 11am
Court 1
• MSS QF1: Galway (Martin Mulkerrins) v Kerry (Dominick Lynch)
• MSS QF3: Armagh (Charly Shanks) v Mayo (Joe McCann)
• LSS QF4: Limerick (Martina McMahon) v Roscommon (Fiona Tully)
Court 2
• MSS QF4: Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy) v Clare (Colin Crehan)
• MSS QF2: Kilkenny (Peter Funchion) v Clare (Diarmuid Nash)
• LSS QF3: Armagh (Megan McCann) v Cork (Aishling O’Keeffe)
Court 3
• LSS QF1: Cork (Catriona Casey) v Kildare (Pauline Gallagher)
• LSS QF2: Kildare (Mollie Dagg) v Tyrone (Eilise McCrory)