County 4-wall finals preview – Monday

COUNTY 4-WALL FINALS PREVIEW…..Monday

 

Golden Masters A Singles Mick Armstrong (KIL) v Michael Rossiter (BAH) 

In recent years this grade has become almost the personal property of Mick Armstrong and tomorrow night he bids for his fourth title since 2017. With no championships in 2021, the Kilmyshall clubman is hoping to add this 2022 championship to those already won in 2017, 2018 and 2020. Ironically, in the year he missed out, 2019, it was tomorrow night’s opponent who triumphed

This ‘third coming’ of Michael Rossiter will make for interesting viewing as the Ballyhogue man returns to competitive action for the first time since his All Ireland Over 60 doubles title win in 2019. Prior to that he had taken a 14 year break from 2000 to 2014, before going on to win All Ireland and Irish Nationals titles between then and 2019. Nobody, least of all the man himself, will expect anything similar this time, as preparations have been greatly restricted by the virus and he will be taking on a defending champion more than 10 years his junior.

Armstrong will start favourite to retain his title, but expect a stirring display from Rossiter who never goes down without a fight.

Junior C Doubles Shane Birney/Tommy Moore (CAB) v Laurance Dunne/Tommy Armstrong (KIL)

The all conquering Castlebridge club will be expected to add this title to their rapidly growing collection and the pairing of Shane Birney and Tommy Moore will start strong favorites to deliver. Both are very successful singles players in their own right and they have also forged a strong doubles partnership in recent years. Moore also won this title in 2020 alongside Padraig Devereux so will be looking to make it two in a row. 

Laurance Dunne is just back in the game again after a short absence and the 2015 All Ireland U17D softball champion from Kilmyshall is sure to test the resolve of the ‘Bridge men in this encounter. He will be aided and abetted by the competitive and combative Tommy Armstrong, but on all known form Castlebridge might just be too well balanced on this occasion. 

Womens Junior B Singles Holly Hynes (STY) v Jodie Keeling (STJ)

Two previous winners of this grade clash in what should be a informative encounter. Hynes was victorious in 2016 and is currently playing her best handball ever. The younger Keeling took this title in 2020 and continues to progress her career, but she will find it difficult to stay with Hynes tomorrow night.    

Minor singles Johnny Goggins (STJ) v Bobby Doyle (TAG)

in what was a rather disappointing minor singles field, two well known handball families will be represented in this final.

Johnny Goggins, representing St. Josephs, is a son of Jimmy Goggins who won an All Ireland softball minor doubles title in 2000 and a grandson of namesake Johnny Goggins, who captured an All Ireland masters A doubles title alongside the late Pat Cleary in 2001, so history and tradition is on his side. 

Likewise with opponent Bobby Doyle from Taghmon, brother of all conquering Mark and the eldest son of Robert and Helen of ‘Trinity’ fame. Bobby is the younger of the two and while this has all the ingredients to be a close fought final, it will come as no suprise to see the winners medal heading down the Duncannon Line afterwards.