The GAA Handball 40x20 Intervarsities take place in Kingscourt, Cavan this weekend, with a record entry of 155 handballers travelling to the prestigious event. Past winners include the current world champion, Cavan's Paul Brady; world number two seed, Cork's Tony Healy and the reigning 60x30 All-Ireland Champion, Dublin's Eoin Kennedy. This year's top men's singles event will be keenly contested, with 2009 beaten finalists, UUJ's Darragh Daly looking to go one further. Fellow Tyrone man, Padraig McClinchey will be hoping to push Daly, with LIT's Seamus O'Carroll also poised to make a mark at the event. O'Carroll collected the 19 and Under World Singles title in Portland last October and is one of the rising stars in the perfect game. NUIG's Diarmaid Nash, DIT's Stephen Cooney and Tralee IT's duo, Shane Hedigan and Fergal Collins, will all be ones to watch in the latter stages, with all four capable of causing upsets. In the top Ladies event, UCD's Marianna Rushe is hotly tipped to retain her crown and the Roscommon handballer has shown fantastic form in recent months. At the World Championships, Rushe defeated former world champion, Canada's Lisa Fraser Gilmore, and she comes into these Intervarsities on the back of successful year in 2009. However, there will be some tough opposition provided by Tralee IT's, Shauna Hilley, UL's Deirdre Donohoe and NUIG's Leona Doolin. Meanwhile, the Men's 40x20 Provincial Championships get underway this week with preliminary round action in all four provinces. One of the top seeds will take to the courts until mid-February, with Tony Healy having ruled himself out of the championship in a bid to concentrate on rehabilitation following a groin injury he picked up last year. Reigning champion, Cavan's Paul Brady, is on the road to recovery following his well documented hip injury, and is certain to feature in the latter end of this year's championship. Tweet

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