LAST week was an anxious time for Eoin Kennedy, as he prepared for the semi-finals of Myclubshop.ie All-Ireland 60x30 singles semi-finals, but everything fell into place and he has cause for a double celebration with no clash of priorities.
The arrival, a week late, of his and wife Elaine's first-born happened last Friday night, just hours before he was due on court at Croke Park for the clash with Meath's Brian Carroll, a hurdle he cleared without too much trouble.
Of course, Dublin's late victory over Kerry was the icing on the cake: “Yes, for sure, Dublin's victory added to the other big events in my life at the weekend,” said Kennedy.
“I could only watch bits and pieces of the Dublin game because I was in the hospital with Elaine and our new daughter Rachel. I then saw The Sunday Game. With everything that happened, it was a tremendous weekend for me.”
It was a tremendous weekend for handball fans too, as the action returned to Croke Park for the first time in six years. Kennedy, now into his 13th final, had a comfortable enough first game against Carroll. It was tied at 11-11, but the Dubliner took over to hit 10 unanswered points and go one up.
The second game was much closer. After being level at 13, Kennedy moved out to lead 20-13, but a determined Carroll put in some great rallies and finishes to close the gap 20-19.
“I didn't have a lot of sleep for a few nights and I was feeling pretty tired, missing a few easy chances,” said Kennedy who, however, regained serve and hit two explosive shots to win.
Defending champion Robbie McCarthy didn't have to waste a lot of energy in getting past Seamus O'Carroll, who did well to get to the semi-finals after being out of the game for three years. It was a bridge too far, however, for the Limerick man as McCarthy won 21-6, 21-7.
It was the same story for Catriona Casey, defending the ladies' title. She stormed past Ciara Mahon 21-1, 21-0, as the Kilkenny girl failed to produce her usual form and Casey stayed firmly on course for a fifth title in-a-row.
And for a fourth consecutive year, she will clash with Martina McMahon, who crushed the hopes of Ashley Prendiville, winning 21-8, 21-3. Prendiville promised much in the opening exchanges of the first game, with the scores tied at 8-8, but McMahon then turned the screw to win the next 13 aces without reply and never allowed the Limerick woman to get a grip on the second meeting.
The line-up for the finals at Croke Park in a fortnight’s time will be Eoin Kennedy v Robbie McCarthy and Catriona Casey v Martina McMahon. Admission ticket details will be announced within the next few days.
