THE Handball All-Ireland 60x30 Softball Championship semi-finals commence this weekend with the first series of games down for decision, and the remainder of the semifinal programme down for decision the following weekend. Cork's interest in this weekend's semi-finals will centre on the Hospital venue on Sunday where three games are down for decision with Cork involvement in the first two semi-finals.

Opening proceedings at 1pm will be the meeting of Tim Joe Healy, Ballydesmond with Monaghan player Michael Todd in Diamond Masters B Singles. Tim Joe went very close in this championship last year reaching the final which he narrowly lost, this year to date he has been impressive with some good displays in retaning the Munster title. He would dearly love to go all the way this year and win that elusive All-Ireland medal. He faces a stiff test on Sunday as Michael Todd is a very good player and will be a stiff hurdle to overcome.

The second semi-final will also be a Cork v Monaghan clash with John Herlihy, St Finbarrs facing Conor McDonnell in Silver Masters A Singles. John Herlihy has been a very consistent player, He is the holder of a number of AllIreland medals in both 40x20 and 60x30, but AllIreland success has so far eluded him in this particular grade.

He has gone very close on a few occasions and should on his best form win this contest and book his place in the All-Ireland Final.

The last game on the Hospital programme is the clash of Limerick John Paul O'Connor/Ken Burke with Cavan James Brady/Patrick Clerkin in Junior Doubles which should produce a game well worth seeing.

On Saturday Cork will contest the last of the Munster juvenile finals with the U12 Doubles Final being the last final to be played. That game goes Mary O'Connor, Cork, in action against Therese Maher, Galway during last weekend's All Ireland Senior Camogie semi-final – ahead in Broadford on Saturday at 7pm and hopefully our Mallow Credit Union sponsored players Mallow pair David Walsh/Tadgh O'Neill will have a successful outing v Tipperary's Kevin Shinnors/Jerome Cahill. The Cork pair have been impressive to date and a win here would do great things for their confidence. Looking back on how the Cork players who got to Munster finals fared.

In Boys U16 Doubles the partnership of Patk Herlihy, Mallow and Denis O'Neill, Liscarroll were very impressive in their semi-final win over Waterford and in their Munster Final display v Tipperary where they were always in control. They won the 60x30 U14 All-Ireland Doubles title two years ago and must be in with a good chance of making a bold bid for outright honours in U16 this year.

In Boys U15 Singles Ryan Harkin, Mallow took the Munster title, he improved with every game and was always on control in the final. He is a player that continues to improve and while there will be nothing soft from here on, he could make a bold bid for outright honours. The Liscarroll pair Daniel Relihan/Michael Hedigan were narrowly beaten in the U15 Doubles final by Clare pair Barry Nash/Niall Bolton. This was the best final in the 60x30 championship this year, it had everything going to three games with the Clare pair shading it on a score of 15-11 in the third. The Cork pair won the first and probably should have won the second losing it 15-13. With the standard that the game reached it will be a surprise if the Clare pair don't go all the way.

In Girls U12 Singles Caroline Roche, Kilworth was beaten by Kerry's Aileen Twomey who proved stronger. Our Girls U15 Doubles pair Brid Horgan, Kilworth and Mairead Brosnan, Ballydesmond play their final in Broadford on Tuesday evening v Clare pair Natasha Coughlan/Michelle Nihill and we will be hoping for a Cork win in this one.

On Monday evening the Ballydesmond pair Aishling O'Keeffe/Catriona Casey made the long journey to Roscommon to face Mayo Pauline Gallagher/Amy Corrigan in Ladies Open Senior Doubles Championship and despite a good performance found the Mayo girls that bit stronger. The Cork pair won the first game 21-10, lost the second game 21-11 and lost the third 21-8.

This, however, will be a great fillip for their Minor campaign, Catriona is already in the Minor Singles Final and herself and Aisling are in the Minor Doubles semi-final, the experience gained in these games should stand them in good stead.

- Peter Dennehy