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Star Handballer Eoin Kennedy Is Off To The Land of The Rising Sun - Wed, 9 Jan 2008

St Brigid's Eoin Kennedy will fly to the land of the rising sun later today where the Dublin handballer will take part in exhibition games in Yokohama and the nation's capital, Tokyo, over the coming days. "I'm really excited about the trip and it's always great to get the chance to test yourself against top players from other countries, no matter where the games are played," said Kennedy.

The six day trip will see the current Irish 60x30 Champion renew rivalries with one of America's finest handballers, Emmet Peixoto (California)."These two meetings promise to be extra special due to the unique location of the games and it will hopefully help to raise the profile of the game in Japan and attract new players," the NUIM lecturer said.Peixoto was one of the six representatives on the defeated USA Casey Lawlor Cup team, which saw Kennedy and his Irish counterparts win the prestigious event for the first time.

In fact, it was the Dubliner who put the nail in the US coffin when he defeated former US number one, Naty Alvarado Junior and the Castleknock man will be hoping to continue his winning ways when he meets the Californian later this week."Emmet is a great player and this will be a massive occasion for both of us," said the 28-year-old. "Handball is a fantastic game and I genuinely believe that if promoted properly it could prosper all around the world."Obviously, I'm really looking forward to seeing some of Japan too, which I will hopefully get the time to do."

On most occasions when Kennedy travels to compete in international competitions, there is little time to see much of sights but the nature of this event may allow some well-deserved sightseeing. "On my return, I'll put the head down and continue preparations for the 40x20 All-Ireland Championships which will be kicking off in February," said the devoted sportsman. Kennedy continues a long family tradition in playing at the top of his game on the handball circuit. His father, Eugene is a decorated player and continues to contest Master All-Irelands on an annual basis. Although now representing Dublin, it was growing up in Roscommon where the elder Kennedy attuned his handball skills.

In fact, Eoin's grand-father, Paddy Kennedy, won an All-Ireland Junior Doubles title for the Rossies in 1938. Now the youngest of the Kennedy handball clan has a new goal, to go where no man has gone before. "Last year was a great year for me on the court and I would like to try and replicate some of that success again," he said. "No player in the history of the game has won the All-Ireland 40x20, 60x30 and hardball singles titles in the one year and it has always been a goal of mine to try and achieve that." Have won all three titles in different years, Kennedy knows he is not far from his dream, but will 2008 be his year. The game has just begun.

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