County senior and minor singles finals at Davidstown-Courtnacuddy on Tuesday night next are the showcase events of the 4-wall season

All roads lead to the new handball centre at Davidstown-Courtnacuddy GAA grounds on Tuesday night next, where the eagerly awaited clash of Galen Riordan, Ballyhogue and Gavin Buggy, St. Mary’s, in the county 4-wall (40×20) senior singles final is sure to draw a capacity crowd. The Ballyhogueman goes into this final as a clear favourite to add to his three previous wins in 2022, 2019 and 2018, but the tenacity of the remarkable St Mary’s stalwart means that this is by no means a done deal.

At 28 years of age Riordan is probably close to his peak and at his best he is a real ‘small court’ attacking machine. His sidearm style gives him the advantage in this code and his flat kills and flashing passing shots make him one of the most exciting players in the game. Against anyone other than Gavin Buggy, that combination would almost guarantee Riordan his fourth title, but….

With 14 county senior singles titles to his credit, Buggy has dominated Wexford’s premier 4-wall competition like no other. He was 23 years old when he won his first title back in 1997 and now 26 years later, at 49, he is in this final entirely on merit. And he’s not just coming to Davidstown to make up the numbers either, as he firmly believes he has a realistic chance of upsetting the favourite!

The two brought great joy to the county last year when they combined to win the All Ireland senior softball doubles title, but on Tuesday they will be bursting a gut to beat each other. Whatever the outcome, this will be a final befitting the new handball arena and patrons are advised to get there early to secure a seat.

The senior match will be preceded by the minor singles final between two of the most exciting young players to come on the scene in recent years. Conor Horan, Coolgreany won the All Ireland under 17 singles title last year and Joshua Roche, Castlebridge is one of the favourites to win that same national title in 2023. Both are exceptional talents and this is likely to be one of the best minor finals in years. It gets the action underway at 7pm.    

Both finals will be streamed live on our GAA Handball Wexford Facebook page. 

For the full programme of events this week click Fixture 9 February 27-March 5