Kilkenny’s Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh has booked his place in the M DONNELLY Senior 60x30 All-Ireland final, five years after his last final appearance.

The breakthrough came after a conclusive victory over Wicklow’s Michael Gregan in semi-final at Garryhill yesterday.

The handball legend claimed 16 All-Ireland senior titles between 1985-2001, and is now back in the final after a 21-1, 21-8 demolition of the young Coolboy player.
Walsh opened the game with intent and killed every ball that came his way, Gregan failing to match the high standard set.

The Kilkenny man dominated the second game as his Wicklow opponent was forced to look on in awe. In what will be a cracker of a final, Walsh now faces Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy at Croke Park Handball HQ on September 1st at 3pm.

The defending champion, Kennedy, overcame Mayo’s Dessie Keegan after an exciting battle at Mullingar yesterday evening. The last time these players met was in 2005, and the first game of this semi-final was a thrilling affair which ended 21-20 in favour of Kennedy.

Serving for game, the Ballaghaderreen player looked like upsetting the script when he opted for a killshot down the right side, but his St Brigid’s opponent somehow managed to reach the ball for a re-kill. Kennedy recomposed himself and claimed the winning point, as Keegan appeared heart-broken.

The Dublin handballer raised his performance in the second game, with Keegan ruing his earlier missed opportunity. Kennedy will now remain favourite to claim his fourth consecutive title but a tough encounter will be expected against the man they call ‘Ducksy’ Walsh.

The defending champion, Eoin Kennedy, from Dublin, overcame Mayo’s Dessie Keegan after an exciting battle.