McCarthy ready to take on Kilkenny legend
August 24, 2010The pair clash in the M DONNELY All-Ireland 60x30 Senior Singles semi-final in Abbeylara (Longford) on Saturday evening and, with an incredible 20-year age gap between the players, it will be real battle of youth and experience.
"I'm both excited and nervous about the game," said McCarthy.
"Having made the All-Ireland Final last year, I know I have the ability to make it again but Ducksy is one tough customer and he's playing exceptional handball at the moment."
McCarthy was defeated by Dublin's Eoin Kennedy in last year's showdown at Croke Park, while Walsh came up short to Kennedy on the two previous occasions. As one of the legends of the game of handball, Walsh has been the hero of an entire generation of players, but McCarthy refuses to allow his opponent's status to hinder his chances of making an All-Ireland Final.
"Ducksy is one of the best softball players of all time, but on Saturday I have a chance to get back where I want to be, in the final, and that's what I'm concentrating on," said McCarthy.
In the second semi-final at the midlands venue, defending champion, Dublin's Eoin Kennedy takes on Model County handballer, Gavin Buggy. The Wexford town handballer has shown great promise over the past two seasons, but with Kennedy bidding for a seventh consecutive crown, Buggy will need to pull out a massive performance to advance.
In other handball news, Hollywood actors, Sean Penn and Frances McDormond took to the alley on Friday last to film a scene for their upcoming movie, 'This Must Be The Place.' Both actors showed some natural talent for the game, with McDormand overcoming her co-star in a thrilling battle supervised by National Media and Development Officer, Niamh Egan.
GAA Handball All Ireland 60x30 Senior Singles Championship Semi-Finals:
Saturday 28th August 2010, Abbeylara, Longford
4.00pm: Dublin (Eoin Kennedy) v Wexford (Gavin Buggy)
5.15pm: Kilkenny (Ducksy Walsh) v Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy) Tweet
