Sport

Ducksy poised for Kennedy test

KILKENNY hurling fans are gearing up for a somewhat regular trip to Croke Park on Sunday - but many of them will be heading southwards to Abbeylara the previous evening, as well, to support their handball hero 'Ducksy' Walsh, himself a noted hurling supporter.

Walsh and DJ Carey were highly successful doubles partners for many years and collected All-Ireland trophies in that code.

Carey has dropped out of handball for the past few years, but evergreen Walsh continues to prove that the years rest lightly on his shoulders.

He is through to the last four in the M Donnelly All-Ireland 60x40 Men's

Singles Championship and what a tasty clash he has lined-up. He will meet with Eoin Kennedy, who gave Dublin followers something to cheer about over the weekend.

At Kingscourt, both Walsh and Kennedy showed their class and experience in the quarter-finals with Tipperary's young star Ger Coonan brushed aside by the Kilkenny legend and Kennedy continuing his dominance of Mayo's Joe McCann.

After a test from Coonan in the first game, Walsh turned on his powerplay and his opponent had no answer. There was never a hint of a comeback by Coonan as Walsh stormed to a 21-1 demolition of his opponent in the second game, after winning the first at 18.

In many clashes, McCann has never managed to master Kennedy who has been in excellent form all season. He won the opening game 21-5 and cruised into the semi-finals with a 21-3 result second time on court.

Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy, the reigning champion, faced Limerick youngster CJ Fitzpatrick, at Crinkle, and the holder proved he has no intention of handing over the title as he brushed aside Fitzpatrick in two games at 5 and 7 to book a date next Saturday with Meath man Brian Carroll.

Carroll, in the second game at Crinkle, was also an easy winner against Wexford's Gavin Buggy. With a string of All-Ireland Double wins to his credit, Carroll is seeking his first singles success and didn't allow Buggy any chance of standing in his way as he blitzed his opponent 21-9, 21-7.

In the Ladies' Championship, Martina McMahon (Limerick) continued her impressive form of this year with a 21-3, 21-19 win over Mayo's Pauline Gallagher at Tuamgraney. McMahon will face former holder Maria Daly from Kerry, who beat off the challenge of Cork's Aisling O'Keefe, in Broadford.

In the other semi-final, Kerry's Ashley Prendiville, who got a bye over Amy Corrigan (Mayo), will face a tough assignment as she plays reigning champion Catriona Casey from Cork, who is favourite to collect her third title in-a-row. n Results P51