One of the most
promising youngsters to emerge in the early Nineties, Kenneth took a break from
the sport last August, but he returned impressively in February with victories
in the 40x20 championship over Robbie McCarthy(Westmeath) and Walter O’Connor to
r each his second consecutive Leinster final, in his second year in the
senior ranks. Kenneth lost the Leinster Final to Eoin Kennedy in a magnificent third game.
Thoughout the Nineties Kenneth had a
very keen rivalry with Tony Healy with the Cork player slightly ahead after
singles clashes in the minor and intermediate championships at both 40x20 and
60x30, but it was Kenneth who won what was one of the most exciting of the many
finals played during the 1997 World Championships in Winnipeg. They qualified for the 19-and-under
decider and it wasn’t just the Irish in the gallery, but all the onlookers, who
were enthralled by a see-saw contest that was eventually decided by one single
ace: 21-15, 19-21 and 11-10.
At the
2000 Worlds Kenneth will play in the open doubles partnering Michael
“Duxie”Walsh having qualified through the trials in May.
Kenneth had his
first success at under-14 and has an impressive collection of juvenile medals as
well as eight wins in the All-Ireland Colleges’ championships when representing
De La Salle-Presentation School, Bagnelstown.
He was also among the expanding group of
young Irish players who have successfully raided the USHA Junior Championships;
he took the 15-and-under title in 1993 at the Latoff YMCA in Des Plaines,
Illinois, which – incidentally – hosts this year’s World Championships in
October, won the 17-and-under the following two years in San Diego and
Orlando.
Two years ago
Kenneth teamed-up with his father Tom and they won three doubles, the
intermediate at 60x30 and 40x20 and the junior hardball. In addition Kenneth also got his name on
the junior hardball trophy the same year.
He was an underage winner at the Waterford Crystal Nationals, the
17-and-under in 1996 and the 19 divison the following year. In 1999 he reached the final of the Waterford Crystal Men’s
Open Final and played some exceptional handball before losing to the top-rated
American star, John Bike.
Club: Garyhill,
Co.Carlow.
Date of birth: December
10, 1978.
| YEAR | CODE | GRADE | WINNER_1 | WINNER_2 | COUNTY |
| 1992 | 40*20 | Boys Under 14 Singles | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1992 | 60*30 | Boys Under 14 Singles | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1991 | 40*20 | Boys Under 14 Doubles | Kenneth Kane | Andy Ryan | Carlow |
| 1991 | 60*30 | Boys Under 14 Doubles | Kenneth Kane | Andy Ryan | Carlow |
| 1994 | 40*20 | Boys Under 16 Singles | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1993 | 60*30 | Boys Under 16 Singles | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1994 | 60*30 | Boys Under 16 Singles | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1997 | 40*20 | Minor Singles | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1995 | 60*30 | Minor Singles | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1996 | 60*30 | Minor Singles | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1996 | HARDBALL | Minor Singles | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1997 | HARDBALL | Minor Singles | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1995 | 60*30 | Minor Doubles | Kenneth Kane | Oliver Ryan | Carlow |
| 1997 | HARDBALL | Minor Doubles | Kenneth Kane | D Dunphy | Carlow |
| 1998 | HARDBALL | Mens Junior Singles | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1998 | HARDBALL | Mens Junior Doubles | Kenneth Kane | Tom Kane | Carlow |
| 1998 | 40*20 | Mens Intermediate Doubles | Kenneth Kane | Tom Kane | Carlow |
| 1998 | 60*30 | Mens Intermediate Doubles | Kenneth Kane | Tom Kane | Carlow |
| 1996 | 40*20 | Nationals 17 & Under Boys | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1997 | 40*20 | Nationals 19 & Under Boys | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1993 | 40*20 | USHA 15 & Under Boys | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1994 | 40*20 | USHA 17 & Under Boys | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1995 | 40*20 | USHA 17 & Under Boys | Kenneth Kane | Carlow | |
| 1997 | 40*20 | World 19 & Under Boys | Kenneth Kane | Carlow |