McCann & Walsh aiming for final appearances
The first weekend of All-Ireland 60 x 30 championships begins this weekend with 2 of Sligo’s greatest handball players Paddy Walsh & Francis McCann make the long journey to Tipperary. Walsh & McCann have tough tasks ahead of them but are well capable of returning home with a place in the coveted finals, writes Michael McGee
Walsh’s “Clare” ambition to reach final
St. Mary’s Club man Paddy Walsh makes the long journey to Ballina Co. Tipperary to take on Clare’s John Kirby for a place in this year’s Ruby Masters singles final. Chasing his 29th All-Ireland handball title in 30 years the legendary Sligo player has an uphill battle ahead of him when he takes on the Clare man, brother of the legendary Kirby brothers Pat & Dan of Tuamgraney & Clare handball fame. Kirby who has won every honour in the game is back playing superb handball. Both players are very experienced at this level. Walsh beat Mayo’s John Kenny in the Connacht final by 21-17, 21-12 and is also playing exceptional handball of late. It should be a terrific contest between the 2 handball legends. An exciting and close match is in prospect with a determined Walsh to do just enough to reach the final
McCann to topple Ryan in Tipperary
Ballymote’s Francis McCann also travels to Tipperary this time in the Golden Masters A singles semi-final where he will face Tipperary’s Pat Ryan. McCann a holder of 15 All-Ireland handball titles has been showing good form of late. It is not the 1st time that McCann has played Ryan. Six years ago in the Silver Masters Singles All-Ireland final McCann defeated Ryan in straight games. McCann is showing good form and has prepared well. McCann’s greater experience should tip the contest in his favour.
Fixtures: All-Ireland championships 60 x 30 semi-finals
Saturday August 20th Ballina Co. Tipperary Saturday at 2pm
Ruby Masters Singles: Paddy Walsh (Sligo) v John Kirby (Clare)
Saturday 20th August in Ballyporeen at 2 p.m.
Golden Masters A Singles : Francis McCann (Sligo) v Tipperary (Pat Ryan)
Results: Connacht Handball Championships 60x30 finals
Golden Masters B doubles: Peter Chambers & Stanley Harte (Sligo) lost to Willie Corcoran & Mike Shaughnessy (Roscommon) 8-21, 5-21
Peter Chambers & Stanley Harte involvement in this years handball championships came to an end in Castlebar following their 8-21, 5-21 defeat to Galway’s Willie Corcoran & Mike Shaughnessy. The Sligo men never captured the form that seen them reach last years All-Ireland doubles semi-final. Their cause wasn’t helped when Chambers sustained a leg injury early in the second game.
Sligo will now rely on Paddy Walsh, Francis McCann, Michael McMorrow & John McLoughlin to secure All-Ireland titles for the County.
The Sligo Handball Board monthly meeting takes place in the Teeling Centre Collooney on Wednesday 17th at 8.30 p.m Fundraising tickets in aid of Sligo Juvenile with a prize of 2 All-Ireland Football Final tickets will be handed out to club delegates at the meeting.
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