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Eoin Kennedy faces Robbie McCarthy in All-Ireland 60* 30 Final this Sat - Thu, 3 Sep 2009

Eoin Kennedy will bid for a sixth consecutive All-Ireland Senior Softball Singles crown this weekend, but incredibly, is also aiming for a 20th senior title across all handball codes. At just 30-years-of age, Kennedy has already amassed nine senior softball titles and eight senior hardball crowns, as well as a 40x20 senior singles and doubles All-Ireland. "It's something I would never have imagined as being possible 10 years ago," said Kennedy."I suppose that in itself gives me great confidence because I feel I can perform and win on the big occasion when the pressure is at its greatest."

Kennedy faces Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy, who is making his debut senior final appearance, and is regarding as one of the most promising young handballers in the softball code. "Robbie is incredibly talented and can pull some amazing shots out of the bag even when under pressure,? said the St Brigid's clubman."It's hard to believe that he is only 21; it seems like he has been around for years. "His game has really matured over the last 18 months and he has had some big wins this summer, so I'm really looking forward to testing myself against him." Having appeared in seven out of the last eight finals, All-Ireland showdowns in September have become an annual event for Kennedy, but he relishes each opportunity.

"I've played in quite a few finals over the last few years and it's safe to say that I'll never get bored of playing in them," he said. "For me, reaching the softball singles final is one of the main goals I set myself at the start of every year so it's great to be back and in with a chance of reclaiming the title for Dublin." Kennedy defeated Roscommon's Ricki O' Gara and Brian Carroll (Meath) in the early rounds, and recorded an emphatic victory over Cavan's Michael Finnegan in the semi-final. "I was really up for that game because I know how dangerous Michael can be, especially if he gets on a roll; I played really well on the night and luckily for me, Michael never really got going," said Kennedy.

The Dubliner knows that there is no space for complacency in championship and McCarthy has proven his is good enough to mix with the best, defeating Mayo's Dessie Keegan and Wexford's Gavin Buggy on route to the final. Bidding for a sixth consecutive title is something that's at the back of Kennedy's mind but not something he dwells o"n. There is always significantly more pressure when defending a title than when trying to win it for the first time. I think I've managed to deal with it reasonably well over the last few years, but I'm expecting a huge challenge on Saturday and really looking forward to the final at Croke Park."

Preview:

Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy will be hoping to end the county's 84 year handball famine when he takes on Dublin's Eoin Kennedy at Croke Park on Saturday next. The Lake County have never won a Senior Singles Softball title, but McCarthy is hoping that he can write a new chapter in Westmeath's handball history. "I've always dreamed of playing in an All-Ireland Senior Final and I?m really looking forward to it," said the 21-year-old from Mullingar." I have a huge challenge ahead of me, but that's what handball is all about - rising to the challenges." McCarthy's opponent is also aiming to make his own piece of history. Kennedy will bid for a sixth consecutive All-Ireland Senior Softball Singles crown on Saturday, and incredibly, is also aiming for a 20th senior title across all handball codes.

At just 30-years-of age, Kennedy has already amassed nine senior softball titles and eight senior hardball crowns, as well as a 40x20 senior singles and doubles All-Ireland. "It's something I would never have imagined as being possible 10 years ago," said Kennedy. "I suppose that in itself gives me great confidence because I feel I can perform and win on the big occasion when the pressure is at its greatest." On Saturday, he will rub shoulders with a young man who dominated the underage handball scene until breaking into the senior ranks two years ago. "Robbie is incredibly talented and can pull some amazing shots out of the bag when under pressure," said the St Brigids clubman.

"It's hard to believe that he is only 21; it seems like he has been around for years. The former World 19 and Under champion, McCarthy, has proven he is good enough to mix with the best seniors, defeating Mayo's Dessie Keegan and Wexford's Gavin Buggy on route to the final. The Westmeath man in under no illusions about the hurdle that faces him on Saturday, but having already secured his place on the Irish Squad bound for Portland, Oregon next month, he is happy with his season's work. "Making the final was my first goal and now that I'm there, I'll give it everything I have; hopefully my best will be enough to win."

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