Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy during the semi-final of the oneills.com 4-Wall Men’s Senior Singles All Ireland Championship at the National Handball Centre. Photo: Stephen Marken
Veteran Robbie McCarthy (38) rolled back the years with a scintillating win over Cork’s David Walsh at Croke Park to book his place in yet another oneills.com All-Ireland Senior singles final.
Walsh had stunned Westmeath’s McCarthy in the quarter-finals of the 2024 World Championships on the same court but McCarthy turned in a sensational performance to gain revenge, taking down the Mallow man 21-10, 21-9 in the semi-final.
McCarthy will now meet familiar foe Diarmaid Nash of Clare in the final, after the 2022 champion defeated Kilkenny’s Peter Funchion in a tiebreaker (21-6, 14-21, 11-6).
“I was going for kills, which I have to at my age,” said McCarthy, who was noticeably aggressive in his shot selection.
“I had to change a lot because I’m used to running around for two and a half hours but that day isn’t there anymore obviously, with the age and a couple of niggles here and there.
“If I’m going to lose, I’m going to lose shooting. And if I’m going to win, I’m going to win shooting. That’s the be-all and end-all of it for me at the moment.”
The ladies final will see world champion Ciana Ní Churraoin of Galway take on Roscommon’s Fiona Tully after they came through in straight games against Niamh Heffernan and Mollie Dagg respectively.
Both finals are down for decision at Croke Park this Saturday.