Arguably the most gripping rivalry in the sport of handball will produce at least one more instalment after Cavan and Meath qualified once again for the GAA Handball All-Ireland Senior Doubles final. World champion Paul Brady and partner Michael Finnegan comfortably disposed of Mayo's Vinny Moran and Campbell Brennan at the last eight stage yesterday before blitzing former Clare hurler Diarmaid Nash and partner Niall Malone 21-3, 21-11 in today's semi-final at Roscommon.
The Breffni men controlled proceedings from the outset, pinning Clare - who had recorded an impressive straight games win over Dublin's Eoin Kennedy and Carl Browne - back with powerful serves and clinical killing.
Having become the first pair to win 10 last year, they turned in a super display but a close final is expected against Meath's Brian Carroll and lefty Tom Sheridan. The Royal duo were given a scare by former champions Joe McCann and Dessie Keegan of Mayo in their semi. Keegan and McCann won the opener 21-16 but the Meathmen turned it around to win 21-14, 21-9, also at St Coman's.
With Brady in magnificent form and the hard-hitting Finnegan serving superbly, the Cavan pair will enter the decider as slight favourites against the Kells men, whom they have beaten in three finals.
However, a close tussle is expected. The Royal pairing are well-balanced, with the ageless Sheridan still a force on the left and Carroll razor-sharp on the right. One of those Cavan v Meath deciders was a wafer-thin 21-20 third game win for Cavan in Limerick, with another - last year's - going to a 21-19 third game.
The latest rematch, which takes place in Roscommon again on April 12, will be one of the most eagerly-awaited of all as veteran Sheridan - who has won nine titles in a senior career spanning well over two decades - aims to equal the Cavan pair's record.
In the Ladies Final it will be a repeat of last years decider as Cork's Catriona Casey & Ashling O'Keefe face Kerry's Maria Daly & Ashley Prendiville. Cork produced a stunningly ruthless performance to defeat Mayo's Amy Corrigan & Leona Ryder 21-1, 21-0 in yesterdays SF in Nenagh. That was followed up by Kerry's win over Limerick's Martina McMahon & Katie McCarthy, with the 2013 champs in control throughout a 21-16, 21-8 win.
By Paul Fitzpatrick
Tickets for both Senior Finals are now on sale from GAA Handball National Office, with payment (cash, cheque, bank draft or online transfer) required before tickets are released. Tickets cost €20 for adults & €10 for U16's.
Post to: GAA Handball, Westward House, Croke Park, Dublin 3
Tel: 01819 2385
Email: brigid.doheny.handball@gaa.ie