By Paul Fitzpatrick

Robbie McCarthy of Westmeath was the toast of Irish handball this past weekend after he completed a hat-trick of All-Ireland 40x20 Senior Singles titles with a convincing final win over Armagh's Charly Shanks.

The Mullingar maestro, who also defeated Shanks last year in one of the closest senior finals in history, was on top throughout today's decider and ran out a 21-13, 21-7 winner.

Meanwhile, Cork's Catriona Casey turned the tables on her great rival, Aisling Reilly of Antrim, to win the ladies Senior Singles for the second time.

Reilly defeated the Rebel right-hander in the final of last August's World Championships but Casey snatched the first game 21-20 here and receoved from a 4-21 second-game loss to win the third set 21-9.

In the men's Minor Singles, Tyrone's Sean Kerr defeated Cork's Tadhg O'Neill, with Fiona Tully of Roscommon winning the corresponding ladies grade.

“It feels great,” said a happy McCarthy after the game.

“I thought I got a good bit of luck there, charly missed a few balls that he wouldn't normally miss, but I'm just delighted to have completed the three-in-a-row.

“It was always going to be about controlling the front of the court, I think last year I let him drive me back a bit – this time, I wanted to attack more, to serve and shoot. I mised a good few as well but I got a lot of good ones.”

A record crowd paid in to Kingscourt, Co Cavan for the finals, which were part of a groundbreaking festival weekend.

For more, see www.gaahandball.ie

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