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'Ducksie' retains national Masters crown
ON SUNDAY in Kingscourt, Michael 'Ducksie' Walsh claimed his third successive Irish nationals Masters singles title when he overcame his fiercest rival, Tom Sheridan in a three game thriller. 'Ducksie'was slow to start and Sheridan raced into a 7-0 lead in the opening game.
A string of good shots, killing off rallies, helped ‘Ducksie’ get back into the game. He levelled at 7-7. Walsh pushed ahead and took a 19-13 lead with the first game looking over. Sheridan never gave up and after an exhibition of killing and passing shots the game was tied at 19-19.
Both fought hard for the final two aces and everyone in the good size crowd was stuck to their seats. Sheridan eventually won through and took the game 21-19.
The second game was approached differently by ‘Ducksie’ with the pressure on him big time. The opening exchanges were close. ‘Ducksie’ played a patient game. The score was level at 10-10 before Walsh pulled out some great side wall and straight kill shots to jump into a 19-10 lead.
Sheridan scored three more points, but ‘Ducksie’ closed out the game and won 21-13. The tie breaker started off slowly and aces were hard to come by. ‘Ducksie’ ran into a 3-1 lead and after that he was always in control. He pushed to 8-3 ahead and then finally killed out the game at 11-4.
The packed gallery was treated to an excellent game of handball, and this was definitely the best final of the tournament.
Elsewhere, the remaining Kilkenny players found success hard to come by. In the men’s A competition Peter Funchion lost his first round game; Ger McGrath lost to Patrick Clerkin in the second round of the men’s B while Ciaran Neary lost his quarter-final match, also to Patrick Clerkin.
There was no joy in the Diamond Masters division where Jimmy Neary lost to eventual winner Eugene Kennedy, Dublin and Pat Funchion lost out in the Golden Masters B singles.
This week the busy schedule for the Tommy O’Brien tournament, which promises to be excellent, swings into action.. The action got underway last night (Tuesday) with the intermediate doubles competition kicking off proceedings. The senior action gets underway on Saturday (10am). See special report.
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Weather for Kilkenny
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
