Having last competed in an All-Ireland final in 2002, Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh could make the breakthrough once again this weekend, when he takes on Wicklow’s Michael Gregan in the M DONNELLY Senior Singles Semi-final at Garryhill.

The Kilkenny handball legend claimed 13 consecutive All-Ireland senior titles between 1985 and 1997, and went on to take three further titles from 1999-2001. After losing out to Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy in the 2002 final, most people in the handball world sensed it was the end of dominance for the man they call ‘Ducksy’. Five years on, the Kilkenny handballer has put his name back into contention for top honours.

On Saturday next, he faces Wicklow’s Michael Gregan who upset the handball script when he defeated last year’s finalist, Meath’s Tom Sheridan in their quarter-final meeting.
Gregan looks promising and is one of the fittest players in the game, but Walsh is focused on getting back to the top and it will be difficult for the young Coolboy player to overcome that drive and determination.

In the second semi-final, defending champion, Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy takes on Mayo’s Dessie Keegan. The last time these players met was in 2005, and the game proved to be a real test for Kennedy. Both players had convincing wins in their quarter-final clashes and were also in action in the doubles championship last weekend.

Kennedy and his doubles partner, Egin Jensen, are also going well at the moment as they bid to claim their third title in a row. Last weekend, they recorded an impressive victory over Tipperary’s David Moloney and Noel Murphy.

Kennedy has also claimed singles honours for the past four years running, but this year could prove his toughest championship yet. Keegan will be the clear under-dog going into the weekend’s battle, but heated warfare is expected between the talented pair.