Eoin Kennedy reaches 12th Senior Singles Final in 13 years

At Abbeylara on Saturday afternoon, St Brigid?s Eoin Kennedy powered his way to an 11th successive Senior Singles 60x30 Final, and 12th in all, by defeating Kilkenny?s Michael (Ducksie) Walsh 21-6, 21-10 in the second of the two semi finals. He will again renew his rivalry in the final with Westmeath?s Robbie McCarthy who overwhelmed Meath?s Brian Carroll 21-9, 21-3 in the other semi final.

Next Saturday, again at Abbeylara, Eoin and Robbie will face off in their fifth successive final. Dublin?s Kennedy won the first two of their finals (as he won his 7th and 8th titles) while Robbie has won the last three.

Kennedy has since 2002 established legendary status in the game, by winning singles and doubles senior titles over all 60x30 softball and hardball plus 40x20 codes and is the lonely player to ever do so. In winning the hardball singles title earlier this year Eoin brought his collection of senior titles to an astonishing total of 26 gathered over the last twelve years.

Despite already featuring in the handball section of the GAA Museum, Eoin continues to compete and excel! Like the similarly aged Henry Sheflin, Eoin?s talent, commitment and inherent athleticism maintains his competitiveness, despite giving almost 10 years to his younger rival.

Having recently finished his MBA studies on top of his fulltime job at Eirgrid, Eoin has been able to again focus on his preparation for this year?s championship and this has shown in his results to date when he has dominated his rivals through the rounds of 32, 16, quarters and semis. Can his run continue next Saturday? Or will his younger rival again triumph?

With nothing further to prove, can Dublins Kennedy raise the bar once more by winning a 27th senior title? We will know the answer next Saturday evening. He will not only have to overcome Robbie McCarthy but will need to do so in the Abbeylara court which is like a second home to his opponent.