Meath and Dublin will contest this weekend’s All-Ireland Senior Doubles Final at Croke Park.
Last year, the Dubs and the Royals served up a cracking All-Ireland semi-final, where Meath edged a 21-18 tiebreaker victory, after losing the first game 21-19 and winning the second 21-20.
Meath and Dublin have always been great rivals in GAA and Saturday sees one of the most eagerly awaited showdowns in this year’s softball championship.
Reigning All-Ireland champions, Brian Carroll and Tom Sheridan, have been consistent throughout their campaign, but will have to push into top gear if they are to take victory over 2007 champs, Dublin's Eoin Kennedy and Egin Jensen.
'There’s probably an extra bit of pressure in that we won the final last year, but we’re delighted to be back, and we know it won’t be easy,' said Carroll.
'We’ve prepared ourselves for a tough battle against Eoin ad Egin, but hopefully things click for us on the day.'
Sheridan, who plays on the left, is one of the most talented big alley players in the country and the veteran Kells handballer has already amassed nine All-Ireland senior doubles titles.
Coupled with the dynamic, Carroll, who adds a speedy dimension on the right, Meath are a prolific pairing and Kennedy and Jensen will have a tough battle on their hands. The three-time winners are no strangers to pressure however, and will be calling on all of their experience to recapture the crown they held from 2005-2007.
'Last year’s semi-final was a thrilling game to play in, but it was devastating to lose and we’re hoping to make amends for that this weekend,' said Kennedy, who collected his seventh All-Ireland Senior Singles titles two weeks ago.
'Brian and Tom will be gunning to take back-to-back titles, so we’re expecting a close game but really looking forward to it.'
In the Minor Doubles Final, Mayo young-guns, Stephen Cooney and Ian McLoughlin take on Kilkenny’s Keith Bourke and Eoghan Hennessy.
It’s also a Mayo v Kilkenny showdown in the Intermediate Singles Final, where Ollie Cassidy (Mayo) faces Kilkenny’s Brian Manogue. Action gets underway at 3.30pm in Croke Park.
Saturday, 19 September - National Handball Centre, Croke Park @ 3.30pm.
Minor Doubles: KILKENNY (Eoghan Hennessy/Keith Bourke) v MAYO (Stephen Cooney/Ian McLoughlin)
Intermediate Singles: MAYO (Ollie Cassidy) v KILKENNY (Brian Manogue)
Senior Doubles: DUBLIN (Eoin Kennedy/Egin Jensen) v MEATH (Tom Sheridan/Brian Carroll)
