Pics by GAAHandball.ie
Dublin, Ireland, WPH Press, 9/29/18- Croke Park played host to the 2018 All Ireland 60×30 Softball Championships, with the two best men’s and women’s 60×30 stars competing for the biggest prize in 60×30 softball handball.
The women’s final pitted current 1-Wall and 4-Wall world champion Martina McMahon against WPH Women’s Race 4 Eight #1 Catriona Casey. Casey was seeking to overturn a shift in the rivalry between the two greatest women’s players on the planet that has seen McMahon winning the biggest titles against the previously indomitable Casey. Casey appeared to be on her way to clinching her first major title of 2018, taking the first game and leading 20-17 in game two. Casey squandered three match points, as McMahon scored the final four points of the frame to force a third.
Casey appeared to be in dire straights in game three, trailing McMahon 8-11 and 14-17. Casey surged to match point once again, scoring six consecutive points to serve at 20-17 for the second consecutive game. Much like game two, Casey was unable to convert, misplaying a ball deep in the right corner to give McMahon a side out and failing to return consecutive serves to allow McMahon within one at 19-20. McMahon continued to apply pressure against an anxious Casey, tying the game at 20 and winning the title on her second match point.
The men’s final featured two of Ireland’s greatest champions in history, as Robbie McCarthy met Eoin Kennedy for the tenth consecutive GAA All Ireland 60×30 Softball Championships. McCarthy was too strong for his rival, pushing Kennedy from side to side and front to back on the enormous 60×30 court, wearing down the legend and holding off a late second game rally to cruise to the title in two games.
For much more on the 2018 GAA All Ireland 60×30 Championships, go to GAA Handball and follow GAA Handball on Facebook.
Photos courtesy of GAA Handball.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer