Paul Fitzpatrick
Handball fans thought when Tony Healy edged past Paul Brady in the 2004 All-Ireland, 21-20 in the third game, that they would never see another final like it. Well, now they have after Westmeath's Robbie 'Buzzsaw' McCarthy came back from the dead to break the heart of Armagh's Charly Shanks in yesterday's finat Kingscourt, Co Cavan.
For non-handball freaks out there, a 21-20 third-game result is similar to a 10-8 fifth set in a Grand Slam tennis final. This was that close but, in the end, reigning champ McCarthy came back from 20-15 down, saved two game-balls and somehow found a way to deny Shanks his first senior 40x20 crown.
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2015: All-Ireland Senior 40x20 Final - Robbie McCarthy Winning Point from GAA Handball on Vimeo.
The Mullingar maestro had dropped the first game 21-12 to the Lurgan man, who was fired up and controlling the match from the service box, but bounced back to take game two 21-6, dominating front court and consistently ending rallies with trademark dump shots in both corners.
The exchanges were tight at the beginning of the deciding set but Shanks (32), roared on by a huge travelling support, looked set to take his maiden senior 40x20 title when he raced into a 12-4 lead.
And while McCarthy rallied, the Lurgan right-hander pulled clear again to lead 18-13 and then 20-15, greeting his arrival at game-ball with a huge fist pump.
But McCarthy proved that he has ice in his veins. In a tense closing passage of play, he flattened the ball off the back wall on Shanks' first serve for the match and then held off a second game-ball to close the gap, before drawing level at 20-all when a soft paddle attempt in the front left fell agonisingly short.
The defending champion made the most of his chance when he found himself serving for the match, playing a perfect rally. And when Shanks forced the issue with a kill attempt from 30 feet, McCarthy pounced, dumping the ball dead-weight around the front corner for the winning point.
McCarthy will now captain Team Ireland at the World Handball Championships in Canada this August; for now, though, he will be entitled to take some time to celebrate and reflect on a job well done.
“I can't believe I'm here myself with the cup,” he said.
“While I'm absolutely delighted with the win, I do feel very sorry for Charly, he was so close and I hope he gets a senior All-Ireland because he deserves it.”
At 20-15 down, his plan was simple – keep battling.
“You just have to keep taking it one ace at a time, keeping going for my shots. I got a bit of luck but I knew if I just kept going, I'd have a chance. The navy training has really helped in my fitness and I think that showed there as well.”
Meanwhile, Aisling Reilly delivered an outstanding performance to beat her great rival Catriona Casey 21-15, 21-13 in the ladies decider, with Mayo's Niall Joyce very impressive in his 21-17, 21-3 Minor Singles final win over Tyrone's Sean Kerr.
