THE semi-finals of the men’s and women’s All-Ireland 40X20 Senior Singles Championships take place over the weekend with Robbie McCarthy and Aisling Reilly aiming to hold on to their titles.
Reilly defeated arch rival Catriona Casey (Cork) in the women’s final last year, while McCarthy overcame Charly Shanks in the men’s decider and few would bet against a repeat of those finals in a few weeks’ time.
At Kingscourt tomorrow the Ulster hopefuls both face Galway opposition with Shanks facing Martin Mulkerrins and Reilly battling newly-crowned US Collegiate champion Ciana Ní Churraoin.
World champion Reilly has not been very active recently in competitions but her vast experience and strength will be a decided advantage against Ní Churraoin, who took three games to overcome Ashley Prendiville (Kerry) in Wednesday night’s quarter-final.
University of Limerick student Ní Churraoin only flew back from Minnesota on Monday after her success on Sunday, when she won both the singles and doubles, and tiredness may have been a problem. She lost the first game 21-9 but won the second 21- 13 and the third 21-14.
Limerick’s Martina McMahon has been one of the most improved young players in Ireland over the past year and on Wednesday she beat US Collegiate runner-up Ciara Mahon (Kilkenny) in two games.
However, she is hardly likely to stop former champion Casey from reaching the final, most likely against Reilly.
In Mulkerrins, Shanks will meet a formidable obstacle, but not an insurmountable one. It is the same situation for holder McCarthy as he plays Limerick’s CJ Kirkpatrick. Both semis should produce plenty of fireworks but McCarthy and Shanks look likely to reach the Kingscourt final on March 19.
On Sunday, the action switches to Colaiste Feirste in Belfast where bracket semis will be played.
This is Ulster secretary Seamus Graham’s second year in the Over-70 grade and he is hoping for better luck than last year, when he lost at the penultimate stage.
The Belfast man has over half-a-dozen All-Ireland medals in his collection but he would appreciate another one this year.
Back in handball after concentrating on hurling with O’Donovan Rossa for many seasons and winning an All-Ireland intermediate medal with the west Belfast club, is former Antrim county star Mickey Kettle, who takes on Trevor Hannon (Galway) in the Over-35B semi-final.
