Meath and Dublin have always been great rivals in GAA and Saturday sees one of the most eagerly awaited showdowns in 60x30 handball.
Reigning All-Ireland champions, Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy and Egin Jensen will take on Royal pairing, Brian Carroll and Tom Sheridan, with a place in the M Donnelly All-Ireland Final at stake.
The Dubliners will need to be in top form if they are to book a final place against Mayo’s Dessie Keegan and Joe McCann, who defeated Gavin Buggy and Cormac Smyth (Wexford) on Thursday last.
The men from the west were untouchable in the first game, winning 21-6, but the Model County duo stuck to their task and pushed Mayo all the way to a 21-18 victory in the second.
Last year’s finalists will now be watching this Meath - Dublin battle with great interest.
Meath’s top guns are viewed by many as potential finalists this year with Sheridan one of the most talented big alley players in the country.
The veteran Kells handballer has already amassed eight All-Ireland senior doubles titles and with young-gun, Brian Carroll, now adding a speedy dimension on the right, Kennedy and Jensen will have a tough battle on their hands.
The three time champs are no strangers to pressure however, and will be calling on all of their experience to book a place in this year’s All-Ireland final.
‘There’s always going to be a bit more pressure on when you go into a game as defending champions but Egin and I have worked hard this year and hopefully all goes well for us on Saturday,’ said the St Brigid’s clubman, Kennedy.
‘Brian and Tom will be gunning to make a final this year but we are expecting a close game and we’re looking forward to it.’
Meanwhile, the All-Ireland ladies semi-finals take place Saturday in Broadford (Limerick) with Roscommon’s Marianna Rushe taking on defending champion, Kerry’s Ashley Prendeville in what will be an exciting meeting.
Fellow Kingdom handball, Maria Daly will also be in action as she faces four time champion, Limerick’s Bernie Hennessy. Action gets underway at 5pm.
