Martina McMahon and Robbie McCarthy claim titles
Robbie McCarthy triumphed at Croke Park. Photo by Stephen Marken
Paul Fitzpatrick at Croke Park
There was a sense of déjà vu about proceedings at a sold-out National Handball Centre, Croke Park as Martina McMahon and Robbie McCarthy claimed the All-Ireland Senior Softball Singles titles in impressive fashion, cementing their respective positions as two of the all-time greats.
However, the big day in the softball season was not without drama, particularly in the men’s decider, as first-time finalist Cormac Finn from Sligo came from behind to force a tiebreaker against the peerless McCarthy.
The Mullingar veteran commanded the first game, winning 21-6, and had a big lead in the second before the 22-year-old from Ballymote hit his stride, a spectacular kill from the back wall when defending game-ball the highlight as he snatched it 21-20.
McCarthy, though, leaned on his experience to dictate the terms in the tiebreaker, running out an 11-1 winner. “To see the young guys coming through is unbelievable, Cormac's day is coming and it's not too far away,” McCarthy said.
“At the start of the year I wouldn't have thought this would happen but it's unbelievable, I'm delighted.”
Meanwhile, in winning her seventh Senior Softball Singles title, Limerick lefty McMahon was forced to dig deep in the opening game against Kildare’s Mollie Dagg (24) – but the Broadford woman found her range in the second and ran out a comfortable 21-18, 21-7 winner. “I think I was a bit slow out of the blocks, not taking away from Mollie, she played unbelievably, came back well in the first game. It goes to show it's never over till it's over.
“Number seven, I don't think, no matter how many you have, it's ever enough - but this one is pretty special, it's my grandmother's anniversary on Monday so I know she's looking down on me today.
“I'm just delighted to get over the line today, I want as many titles as I can.”