An action packed weekend of Handball lies in store this Saturday & Sunday as the Mens & Ladies All-Ireland Senior Singles Championship knuckles down to the nitty gritty stages.
On Saturday the four Men's Provincial Runner-Ups enter the knock out stages when they compete with the four Qualifiers for a QF spot. Crinkle HC (Offaly) & St Coman's HC (Roscommon) play host to two double headers on Saturday afternoon (2pm). First up in Crinkle is an intriguing battle between Ricky McCann & Irish #6 Brian Carroll, which will be followed by Joe McCann v Patrick Funchion.
In St Coman's, Kilkishen youngster Colin Crehan faces the experienced former champion Eoin Kennedy in possibly the tie of the round, followed by another enticing battle between Michael Gregan & Owen McKenna with Gregan continuing his comeback from a two year absence through injury.
On Sunday action returns to the two same venues for the QF's, with the four Provincial winners entering the fray. Reigning two time champion Robbie McCarthy will be a strong favourite against the winner of McCann/Carroll (2pm). This will be followed by Munster champion CJ Fitzpatrick who awaits the winner of McCann/Funchion.
Back in St Coman's, Connacht champion and Irish #5 Martin Mulkerrins bids for his maiden Senior SF appearance against the winner of Crehan/Kennedy (2pm), whilst Ulster champion and three time All-Ireland Finalist Charly Shanks will enter as favourite against the winner of Gregan/McKenna.
In the Ladies Championship, there are two remaining QF fixtures. A cracking encounter between Galway's Ciana Ni Churraoin & former finalist Ashley Prendiville is the first game on the bill, as both ladies aim for a SF spot against Aisling Reilly. Irish #3 Martina McMahon then takes on Kilkenny's Ciara Mahon for the right to play Catriona Casey in the SF.
Men's 40x20 Senior Singles Championship Fixtures:
Saturday 27th February – Last 12 - Provincial Runner Up v Backdoor Qualifiers
- 2.00pm A: Antrim (Ricky McCann) v Meath (Brian Carroll) in Crinkle
- 3.00pm B: Mayo (Joe McCann) v Kilkenny (Patrick Funchion) in Crinkle
- 2.00pm C: Clare (Colin Crehan) v Dublin (Eoin Kennedy) in St. Coman’s
- 3.00pm D: Wicklow (Michael Gregan) v Antrim (Owen McKenna) in St. Coman’s
Sunday 28th February – Quarter Finals
- QF1: Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy) v Winner A in Crinkle 2.00pm
- QF2: Limerick (CJ Fitzpatrick) v Winner B in Crinkle 3.00pm
- QF3: Galway (Martin Mulkerrins) v Winner C in St. Coman’s 2.00pm
- QF4: Armagh (Charly Shanks) v Winner D in St. Coman’s 3.00pm
Ladies 40x20 Senior Singles Championship Fixtures:
Wednesday 2nd March - Quarter Finals
- QF1. Kerry (Ashley Prendiville) v Galway (Ciana Ni Churraoin) in Nenagh, 7.30pm
- QF2. Limerick (Martina McMahon) v Kilkenny (Ciara Mahon) in Nenagh 8.30pm