Cavan pair bid for third title
April 15, 2008
Reigning champions, Cavan's Paul Brady and Michael Finnegan, will be aiming for a third consecutive title when they take on Mayo's Dessie Keegan and Joe McCann in next Saturday's DALKIA All-Ireland 40x20 Senior Doubles Final at Kingscourt.
The Breffni duo have been the strongest 40x20 doubles pairing over the past few seasons, taking four of the last five crowns. However, many feel that Mayo are a more confident outfit this year and having had an emphatic 21-14, 21-9 semi-final victory over Dublin's Eoin Kennedy and Egin Jensen, they will be hoping to make amends for last year's defeat.
This final has been billed by many as a cracker, but Mayo's McCann is quick to play down the talk in handball circles.
"We know there's a lot being said about this final, but we're preparing for it like we would any other game," said McCann, who was forced for withdraw from last year's 60x30 All-Ireland Doubles Final after suffering a collapsed lung.
"We were gutted after what happen before last year's big alley final, but we're hoping things go right for us with this one.
"The preparation is all done and now it's all down to how we perform on the day."
Keegan and McCann have produced some top performances in the championship so far, but they will need to be on top of their game to upset the Cavan duo.
Brady and Finnegan are an experienced pairing and collected the World Men's Open Doubles title in 2003. Three year's later in Edmonton, Canada, the pair lost out to Kennedy and Cork's Tony Healy in the final, but they have continued their dominance on the domestic scene ever since.
"Myself and Michael have been playing together for a long time so we know each other's game very well," said Brady, the current US and World Champion.
"It should be a good final; Dessie and Joe will be a tough pair to beat but we're focused and hopefully we can play to our potential."
The curtain raisers will set the atmosphere for this final, with the DALKIA Ladies Doubles Final also taking place where Antrim's Fiona Shannon and Sibéal McKenna face Eimear Ní Fhallúin and Anna Spence from Kildare. This will also looks set to be a thrilling final after the Lilywhite's semi-final victory over Kerry's Maria Daly and Ashley Prendeville. Shannon won this title with Aisling Reilly last year, but her sister and long-time playing partner, Sibéal, returns to the partnership after a two year absence.
Tyrone and Limerick will contest the DALKIA Minor Doubles Final where Caolán Daly and Conor Duff take on Seamus O'Carroll and CJ Fitzpatrick. The Treaty men have gained plenty of experience this year and will go into this final as favourites. They reached the quarter-final of the Senior Doubles Championship and defeated last year's All-Ireland minor champions on route to next Saturday's showdown. Will the favourites tag sit well with Cavan, Antrim and Limerick, or can the underdogs rewrite the script? Neosfaidh an aimsir.
DALKIA 40x20 All-Ireland Finals
Saturday April 19th, 4pm, Kingscourt (Cavan)
Minor Doubles Final:
CJ Fitzpatrick, Seamus O'Carroll (Limerick) v Caolán Daly, Conor Duff (Tyrone)
Ladies Senior Doubles Final:
Fiona Shannon, Sibéal McKenna (Antrim) v Eimear Ní Fhallúin, Anna Spence (Kildare)
Men's Senior Doubles Final:
Dessie Keegan, Joe McCann (Mayo) v Paul Brady, Michael Finnegan (Cavan)
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