Dublin star handballer, Eoin Kennedy, begins the defence of his M. Donnelly All-Ireland Senior Softball Singles title when he takes on Wexford ace, Gavin Buggy, in a Round Of 16 clash, on Friday at Garryhill. This year, Kennedy is bidding for an amazing fifth consecutive title of these championships and with the Dubliner currently playing some of the best handball of his career, few would bet against the No. 1 seed achieving this feat. The last time Kennedy and Buggy met in a major final was in 2006, when the Dubliner and his long-term partner, Egin Jensen defeated the Wexford duo of Buggy and Barry Goff in the All-Ireland Senior Doubles final at Croke Park. Although Buggy has proved his credentials on the senior circuit, Kennedy is the undisputed king of the big court and will be hot favourite to go through. Also tonight, at Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, a fascinating double-header, sees No. 3 seed, Meath veteran, Tom Sheridan take on Jensen while No. 4 seed, Mayo powerhouse, Dessie Keegan faces Wexford's Colin Keeling. In the last of tonight's action, at Ballina, Co. Tipperary, Keegan's Ballaghaderreen clubmate and long-term doubles partner, Joe McCann, faces Kerry ace, Dominick Lynch in what should be a tight affair. HANDBALL FIXTURES M DONNELLY ALL-IRELAND SENIOR SOFTBALL ROUND 0F 32 At Ballina, Friday 18 July, 8.00pm Dominick Lynch (Kerry) v Joe McCann (Mayo) P Collins, G Coonan At Mullingar, Friday 18 July, 8.00pm Tom Sheridan (Meath) v Egin Jensen (Dublin) Colin Keeling (Wexford) v Dessie Keegan (Mayo) R McCarthy, R McCarthy, Jnr At Garryhilll, Friday 18 July, 8.00pm Eoin Kennedy (Dublin) v Gavin Buggy (Wexford) S Ryan, A Ryan At Clogh, Saturday 19 July, 4.00pm Cormac Smyth (Wexford) v Brian Carroll (Meath) Paul Mullins (Tipperary) v Robert McCarthy (Westmeath) B Love, N Mahon At Cashel, Saturday 19 July, 6.00pm Michael Gregan (Wicklow) v CJ Fitzpatrick (Limerick) D White, D Moloney Tweet

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