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Eoin Kennedy Makes It Five All-Ireland 60 by 30 Handball Titles in A Row - Tue, 9 Sep 2008

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Congrats to Eoin Kennedy who cemented his position as a Handball Legend when he won his fifth consecutive 60 by 30 All-Ireland Title on Saturday evening defeating Duxie Walsh. Eoin winning in some style at a packed Croke Pk. We are very proud of his achievements. He is true ambassador for the club.

Dublin's Eoin Kennedy won his 5th senior softball singles title in a row following his victory over the legendary Michael "Ducksy" Walsh of Kilkenny, in the Martin Donnelly sponsored All-Ireland 60 X 30 finals played in Croke Park, on Saturday September 6th last. Kennedy became only the 3rd player in history to achieve this feat following in the footsteps of Roscommon?s Paddy Perry and the magical Michael "Ducksy" Walsh who announced his retirement after the final.

Kennedy from the off had his homework done on Ducksy Walsh as he immediately hit the Kilkenny player for 7 without reply. Kennedy's strong overhand serve on the right bouncing off the left wall and landing in Walsh's right corner gave the Kilkenny star much to think about. This tactic worked a treat as the Dubliner further extended his lead to 13-1. A number of kills and a neat passing shot by Kennedy's right had Ducksy on a score of 5. Kennedy with power and pace in abundance easily took the first game by 21-5.

Walsh came out with all guns blazing at the start of the 2nd game. With some excellent kills and passing shots the Kilkenny wizard had Kennedy worried. There was signs of the Kilkenny maestro of old beginning to show his silken skills to the Croke Park faithful. With purpose he shot into an 7-2 lead and troubled Kennedy. Kennedy a student and a hero of Ducksy's growing up learned well from the Master as he fought back well. Kennedy killed the ball off the grid for 7-7 with a great round of applause from the packed gallery. It was level again at 8-8. Kennedy with an amazing pick placed the ball on the right for 12-8. Kennedy's low hard shot into the left corner with Ducksy helpless to go into an 14-8 lead. Walsh was forced into a number of errors and his own shots normally accurate were falling short. This helped Kennedy into an 19-10 lead. Two more scores from Walsh was not enough as Kennedy finished strongly. Immediately after winning he rose his arms in triumph and both players embraced at the end.

Martin Donnelly presented the Corn Purirseil Cup to Kennedy and the runners-up medal to Ducksy Walsh. Kennedy spoke and thanked Walsh for a great game and praised Walsh for being a great champion and for being his hero growing up. Kennedy thanked the Irish Handball Officials, Martin Donnelly, players from Dublin and to his parents Eugene & Carmel Kennedy who brought him all over the country to take part in handball competitions. Ducksy then spoke and congratulated Eoin for being a great champion and wished him the best of luck. Ducksy quiet spoken, barely audible head bowed announced it was to be his last senior singles appearance. As I turned around to the gallery my eyes slowly moving around like the R.T.E. cameras in the workmen's Boxing Club in Beijing everyone stood up and gave the magical Walsh a prolonged and warm standing ovation. It was a special moment in Irish Handball History and end of a golden era. The Croke Park faithful acknowledged Ducksy Walsh as a hero and rightly so. I am sure Ducksy's great friend and mentor the late Tommy O? Brien R.I.P. was smiling from on high.

After the Presentations I asked Eoin Kennedy what was his thoughts on winning the five-in-a-row? "I am absolutely delighted to have won said Eoin. To have got five-in-a-row is extra special and knowing that myself and two other players have ever done it. That is a great feeling. Also there is a little relief when you go into a match as favourite having won it for the last few years. There is always that extra pressure. To be honest I am absolutely delighted having done it."

I asked Kennedy had he a specific game plan going into the final as his serves worked very well on Ducksy? "Yes, obviously I have a couple of serves that I like to start with. If they work I stick with them, if they don?t work then I will change. To be honest, I always try to concentrate on my game and don't worry to much about who I am playing. The way I look at it if I can get my own game right hopefully if I play well it should be good enough."

Next question I asked the champion at what stage did he feel he was getting the upper hand?"?Having won the 1st game I was thinking the second game could be very different and that is the way it turned out. He jumped up into an 7-2 lead and was beginning to getting a little bit I wouldn't say worried but at the same time thinking that if he got a few more points it was going to be hard to pull it back. I dug deep and went a couple of aces ahead. Once I was up it is much easier to kill the ball in the lead."

Last question I asked Eoin that he is in an elite group of players like Paddy Perry and the legendary Ducksy that must give you a great sense of satisfaction and achievement? Yes, those names are legendary. To be even considered with those names is a huge thing for me. Ducksy obviously a player outstanding 13 titles in a row and 16 in total is mind boggling. I know myself I will never get anywhere near those. But at the same time having won 5-in-a-row nobody can ever take it away from me I am just delighted? ended Eoin.

Michael "Ducksy" Walsh kindly gave me a few minutes of his time. I asked him What was his thoughts having played well in the final?" I am disappointed I wouldn't say I played very well, Eoin just played better than me. I have no complaints. He was stronger and just too good on the night. He is a great champion"

I asked Ducksy in the second game he had a good 7-2 lead. Did he think he could go on from there and possibly win that second game? "I didn't know for definite. You can never say your going to beat Eoin even if your 15-2 up. He is young, strong and fit. I knew when I was 7-2 in the lead I was a long way from home and needed another 14 to get there. But it wasn?t to be and I have no complaints. I did the best I could and that's it."

The legendary Michael Ducksy Walsh called time on an illustrious career winning 16 All-Ireland senior singles titles from 1985-2001, 10 in doubles and 38 in total. It's a record that will never be surpassed. His achievements on the handball courts are exceptional. Walsh was Lord of the handball courts and his magical handball wizardry left us speechless. A phenomenal player his likes will never be seen again. Just like the great Joey Maher from Louth who has a statue built in his honour in Drogheda the same should be done for Ducksy Walsh in Croke Park. It would be a fitting tribute for a player who has given so much to handball and given countless numbers of handball supporters from all over the country and abroad so much enjoyment. Ducksy's extraordinary exploits in Croke Park will live long in the memory.

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