This years M Donnelly All-Ireland 60x30 Men's Doubles Final has been whetting the appetite of handball fans across the country ever since the final pairings were known. Reigning champs Brian Carroll & Tom Sheridan of Meath take on Mayo's Dessie Keegan & Joe McCann in a repeat of last years final.

It is last years final that is assisting to generate the interest, as it was a truly absorbing game of Handball. One of the greatest games of 60x30 Softball ever, it had everything; passion, power, retrieving, kill shots, precision passes, swings in momentum, all crammed into a two hour plus marathon.

Both pairings have established themselves as the top two Softball partnerships in the country, having met in the last two finals, and three in all. The score stands at 3-0 in favour of the royals, but the men from the west will be encouraged by last years final showing, and will be chomping at the bit to get their hands on their maiden 60x30 crown.  

The contrasting styles on offer add to the occasion. The left handed play of Sheridan alone can prove difficult for opponents, but when added to his consistent long range kills he is a major threat. Keegan's power is in itself a joy to watch, but his touch around the frontcourt is equally as impressive. And then on the right hand side you have Carroll & McCann who's retrieving and court coverage are among the best in the game.

The Meath men have looked every bit the champions on route to the final, firstly dispatching Limericks CJ Fitzpatrick & Paul Hedderman in the QF, before seeing off the challenge of Kilkenny's Ciaran Neary & Ducksy Walsh in the SF, conceding no more than ten points per game. Mayo on the other hand may be slightly rusty having only had one game. A bye in the QF was followed up with a tough tiebreak win over Dublin's Eoin Kennedy & Keith Bourke.

But regardless of the routes to the final, all four men on the court on Saturday are big game players, and they have all won honours at the highest level in the game. We can expect a thriller!
With action kicking off at 11am, the Senior final is sandwiched between the Minor & Intermediate Doubles finals. In the Minor, Tyrone's Johnny Woods & Ryan Mullan take on Tipperary's Daniel Hayes & Jonathan Walsh, while in the Intermediate Offaly's David Hope & Noel Murphy face Waterford's David Walsh & Philip Butler.

M Donnelly 60x30 Championship 2014
Saturday 27th September 2014. Abbeylara, Co. Longford @ 11am 
Minor Doubles Final
Tipperary (Daniel Hayes/Jonathon Walsh) v Tyrone (Johnny Woods/Ryan Mullan)
Men's Open Doubles Final
 Meath (Brian Carroll/Tom Sheridan) v Mayo (Joe McCann/Dessie Keegan)
 Men's Intermediate Doubles Final
Waterford (David Walsh/Philip Butler) v Offaly (David Hope/Noel Murphy)

Tweet

Most Read Stories