Maestro McCarthy launches 60x30 season with win in Wexford

Robbie McCarthy Jnr launched his 60x30 season with a Softball Nationals title over the weekend having defeated Tommy Hynes of Wexford in the final 15-2, 15-5. A considerable crowd of spectators had gathered at the Castlebridge court in Wexford on Saturday last for the Open showdown.

The members of Castlebridge Handball Club outdid themselves on this occasion with the tea flowing and lunch all prepared, it was punnets of Wexford strawberries that were doing the rounds in the gallery.

The local juvenile players hustled in to get seats at the front of the court to watch their handball idols as fans from as far away as San Diego settled in, with referee John Roche commencing proceedings with the toss of a coin.

McCarthy proceeded with serve and got the match into full swing. The spectators were treated to rallies full of quality handball, remarkable kills and great sportsmanship from both players.

Game two started with a service from Hynes and was very much the same as the first with some long tough rallies oozing class between the pair. Neither of the softball legends would give in but on this occasion, it was McCarthy’s fitness that prevailed to give him opening success for the 60x30 season.

Earlier in the day, young McCarthy had commenced the morning with a 15-4, 15-1 quarter final win over Dairmaid Mulkerrins of Galway closing the match with a paddle kill from the back left corner before defeating Offaly native David Hope 15-4, 15-2 in the Semi Final.

It is well noted that 60x30 is McCarthy’s choice of codes and he did not disappoint on this occasion having given up less than 20 points in the whole tournament. As the saying goes – “60x30, where legends come alive”.

Leinster Championship

Having travelled to Fahy’s Cross in Offaly on Wednesday of last week, Mick Naughton represented Westmeath with distinction yet again earning a place in the 2022 Leinster Softball Final. Mick took on Brendan Higginbottom of Kildare and although Brendan was favourite for the win having defeated Naughton in the 40x20 earlier this year, Naughton was there with a vengeance and ready to go for it. Mick let no opportunity slip by with his serves on point earning him more than a few aces, he also had some impressive roll outs to get him over the line and into the Final with a score line of 21-5, 21-5. Mick will meet Wexford’s Mick Armstrong in the Final with a date and venue TBC.

Robbie Snr is also out in action this week with his Leinster bid kicking off on Wednesday evening at 8pm in Ballymore Eustace against Wexford’s Jimmy Dunne in the DMAS.

Congratulations to boteh Robbie Jnr and Mick from all in Westmeath GAA Handball. We also wish Robbie Snr the very best of luck on Wednesday.