After a week of coaching handball, and exhibition matches, St Brigid’s Eoin Kennedy will return from Japan later today (Wednesday). Kennedy defeated American Emmet Peixoto in the opening exhibition game in Yokahama on Friday last in a tough one-game encounter which lasted over an hour.

“It was a great game and the crowd really got behind it,” said the NUIM lecturer.
“Both Emmet and I we treated like kings throughout our stay and the trip was an amazing experience.”

While in Yokahama, Peixoto and Kennedy took part in a mini handball tournament with six Japanese handballers. “It was great to see such interest in the game and the standard of play was higher than we expected,” said Kennedy. “Handball is a fantastic game and I genuinely believe that if promoted properly it could prosper all around the world.

After some sightseeing the nation’s capital, Tokyo, Kennedy and Peixoto became rivals once more as the handball aces prepared for a showdown at the Tokyo YMCA. One of the leading Japanese TV stations covered the exhibition game where Peixoto was in top form.
“Emmet finished the game strongly and it was a fair reflection on both games that we took one a piece,” said Kennedy.

Now, the Dublin man will plot his revenge against the Californian as Peixoto has confirmed his entry in the prestigious Irish Nationals, which take place in Kilkenny in March. “It was a fantastic trip, but now my attention will quickly return to the domestic scene at home,” said the 29-year-old.

Kennedy will return to preparations for the 40x20 Senior Champions when he bids the land of the rising sun adieu, and he is anxious to make his mark in history this year.
“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.” The 40x20 Singles Championship is the first hurdle Kennedy must cross if his dream is to become a reality.

Meanwhile on the domestic front, Ballaghaderreen’s Joe McCann defeated Swinford’s Ollie Cassidy in the opening round of the Intermediate Championship in Connacht. Cassidy took the first game 21-20, but faded in the second where McCann pushed forward to take it 21-4. In the tie-breaker, McCann went 11-0 ahead as Cassidy pulled out due to a back injury.

Elsewhere, the Ballydesmond Club in Cork hosted another successful Open Doubles Tournament, as the annual event attracted even more players from around the country.
In a gripping final, young-guns Limerick’s CJ Fitzpatrick and Seamus O’Carroll defeated the Rebels, Shane Hedigan and John Herlihy 11-10 in a tie-breaker finish.