DURING the last week Kilkenny handballers have appeared in a number of Leinster finals in different grades and they enjoyed plenty of success. In the intermediate doubles final Eddie Bourke and Brian Minogue came through a three game thriller to beat Nicholas Anthony and Richie Hogan. Brian will now faces Nicholas in the singles final on Thursday, which should be another thriller.

Eoghan Hennessy and Pauric Maher won the minor doubles title following a great win over Wicklow's Keith Kavanagh and Eamonn Lillis. In the Silver Masters final Billy Bourke overcame Dublin’s Egin Jenson.

Paddy Reilly and Seamus Reade retained the Diamond Masters A doubles crown, beating Ned and Martin Buggy, Wexford. Ger McGrath and Patrick Funchion scored a two game victory over Eamonn Foley and Ciarán Neary in an all Kilkenny final.

The ladies of Kilkenny have picked up where the men left off. They have really improved in the Leinster championship over the last number of years. The minor singles final was an all Kilkenny affair. Windgap’s Claire Grace defeated Denise Doyle, St Canice's.

The junior doubles final was also an all Kilkenny final. Kilfane’s Rachel Hogan and Kell’s Marie Walsh beat Clogh duo Marie Therese O’Neill and Claire Love.

This evening (Wednesday) Kilkenny players will hope to add more success in the Golden Masters doubles final in which Joe Hennessy and Johnny Brennan take on Wexford opposition while Mullinavat pair Sean Walsh and Liam Law will be hoping to capture the Silver Masters B doubles crown.

On the local front, county championships are nearing the final stages and a number of players are going very well. In junior B doubles, Paddy Doyle/Kevin Woods, St Canice’s will be tough to beat as will Clogh pair Brendan Hosey/Andrew Dowling in junior doubles.

The junior singles final could end up being a family affair with the Doherty brothers in fine form. In the over age groups Johnny Brennan, Paul Dowling and Sean Hogan will be looking to claim county medals as they continue to play well.

A new ladies league has been set up. This promises to be a great competition.

Leinster fixtures

Today (Wednesday) at Garryhill (Sean Ryan to arrange referees) 7.30pm GMAD Johnny Brennan/Joe Hennessy (Kk) v Tony Breen/Benny Doyle (Wexford); 8pm SMBD Declan Hart/Fintan Doyle (Wexford) v Sean Walsh/Liam Law (Kilkenny); at Goresbridge 7.30pm LMD Claire Grace/Laura Moore (Kilkenny) v Sandra Kelly/Mairead Elms(Wexford); at Crinkle 8pm MAD Tom Sheridan/John Leahy(Meath) v Michael Walsh/Pat Maher(Kilkenny). 

County fixtures

Thursday at O’Loughlins (1),7.30pm, Leinster ladies JunS  final, Marie T.