Despite having an All-Ireland Senior 60x30 Singles final to prepare for next weekend, Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy will switch to doubles-mode on Saturday with partner Egin Jensen. The defending champions face Wexford’s Gavin Buggy and Tommy Hynes in the M DONNELLY Senior Doubles Championship semi-final in an exciting match-up.
“My priority this weekend is to make the doubles final with Egin and only after that can I start to really prepare for the game against Ducksy,” said Kennedy. “Egin and I have trained very hard for this and it would be great if we could make another final.”
The Dublin partnership is aiming for a third consecutive title, but providing the next hurdle for the current champions are two men from the Model County. Buggy was one of the players defeated in last year’s doubles final, while Hynes has been called into battle this year in place of the injured Barry Goff and, so far this season, the impressive left-hander has produced some fantastic handball.
“We’re reasonably confident that we can produce the goods on Saturday,” said Buggy. “Having the game outside Croke Park is a major bonus for us because it’s a home court for the Egin and Eoin, and this is the best chance we’ll have to take them.”
There is a long history of battle between these counties and a high-tempo meeting is expected at 7pm on Saturday next at Garryhill. The experience of the Dubs could be a telling factor, but the Wexford players are not lacking determination and may cause an upset.
In the second semi-final, 2005 All-Ireland finalists, Dessie Keegan and Joe McCann from Mayo, take on Meath stalwarts, Walter O’Connor and Tom Sheridan. The Kells clubmen won the All-Ireland doubles title in 2004 where they defeated Ducksy Walsh and Eugene Downey after a thrilling affair. Keegan lost out to Kennedy in the senior singles last weekend and will be hoping to redeem himself on the doubles stage.
“The doubles has been my focus since the beginning of the season and I am confident that myself and Joe can make this year’s final,” said Keegan. Both Ballaghaderreen players will line out for their club in the Mayo senior football championship on Sunday against Kiltane so it’s a busy sporting weekend for the pair. They will need to be in top form to take the Royal duo, but are hungry to make this year’s final.
Eoin Kennedy and Gavin Buggy in action
M DONNELLY ALL-IRELAND SOFTBALL SEMI-FINAL FIXTURES
At Castlebar, Saturday 25 August, 4.30 p.m. MD Mayo (Patrick Corley, Gerard Murphy) v Kilkenny (Ciarán Neary, Ptnr) IS Mayo (Ollie Cassidy) v Wexford (Cormac Smyth) At Loughmacrory, Saturday 25 August, 4.30 p.m. MD Tyrone (Conor Duff, Brian Donaghy) v Limerick (CJ Fitzpatrick, Seamus O’Carroll) IS Tyrone (Niall Kerr) v Tipperary (Paul Mullins)
SENIOR DOUBLES SEMI-FINALS At Garryhill, Saturday 25 August, 7.00 p.m. Eoin Kennedy, Egin Jensen (Dublin) v Tommy Hynes, Gavin Buggy (Wexford) At Mullingar, Saturday 25 August, 7.00 p.m.
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