Things went to script in the All-Ireland Senior Singles Championship over the weekend, with all of the top seeds coming through their games unscathed.
Limerick young-gun Seamus O’Carroll continues to make headway on the senior stage and recorded a fine victory over Meath’s Carl Browne. In the first game, the Treaty County handballer was in top form and took a 21-9 victory but his Kells opponent lifted his performance in the second game and pushed O’Carroll to a 21-16 finish.
Fellow Limerick man CJ Fitzpatrick went down to Kilkenny's Nicholas Anthony in a similarly competitive meeting with the Mullinavat player taking victory on a 21-4, 21-16 scoreline.
Elsewhere, Cavan’s Michael Finnegan is safely through to the Round of 16 following a hard-fought victory over Egin Jensen (Dublin) on a 21-11, 21-14 scoreline. Meath’s Brian Carroll was forced to pull out all of the stops against Aengus Cunningham (Roscommon), with the Connacht man putting in a determined performance as he lost out 6-21, 16-21.
Mayo’s Joe McCann will face Tom Sheridan (Meath) in his Round of 16 game follow his weekend victory over Tipperary’s Ger Coonan. Wexford duo, Gavin Buggy and Tommy Hynes had mixed fortunes over the weekend, as Buggy defeated Tipperary's Martin McInerney over three games, on a scoreline of 21-10, 20-21, 21-2. Hynes succumbed to 2007 Intermediate Champion, Tipperary's Paul Mullins in an equally thrilling match, over three games, on a scoreline of 21-4, 19-21, 21-6.
Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy recorded an emphatic win over Limerick's JP O' Connor with a 21-0, 21-8 to advance his championship title hopes.
In the Ladies Championship, there were wins for Kerry’s Ashley Prendiville, Wicklow’s Patricia Doyle, Roscommon’s Deirdre Donohoe and Limerick’s Bernie Hennessy.
Next on the cards is the preliminary round of the Men’s Senior Doubles fixtures, where six games taking place at Clonmel, Crinkle and Talbot’s Inch. Top of the billing is the meeting of Tipperary duo, Ger Coonan and Martin McInerney, and Meath’s Karl Browne and Gary McConnell.
The return of the Roscommon pairing of Rikki O’Gara and Damien Martin to the senior stage is a welcome one, and they face a tough battle with Limerick’s Paul Herr and Padraig O’Carroll.
