Saturday sees a full round of matches in the MyClubShop.ie All-Ireland Men's 60x30 Singles Last 16, with matches scheduled for 7 venues across the country.
Dublin's Eoin Kennedy will face Brian Manogue as part of a double header in Coolgreany, after the Kilkenny man ousted Tyrone teenager Ryan Mullan in a thrilling three game prelim win last night. But before that see's Mayo's stylish lefty Vinny Moran take on Wexford's Gavin Buggy, with Buggy starting as favourite given his form at the recent Irish Nationals.
Garryhill plays host to Paudi Quish (Lim) v Gary McConnell (Meath), a match up that will be very hard to call. McConnell impressed during the Nationals, with his power play combined with some excellent soft touches around the front court causing Eoin Kennedy trouble in a competitive QF. But last years Intermediate champion Quish also had a good showing, forcing Brian Carroll to a third game before eventually falling to the experienced Kells man.
Carroll himself takes on James Brady (Cav) in Kingscourt at 2pm, and being seeded #5 in the Championship, will be favourite to defeat Brady, but should not take last years beaten Intermediate finalist lightly.
In the bottom half of the draw, reigning champ Robbie McCarthy is the big name, and he faces Roscommon's Rikki O'Gara in Abbeylara. That was after O'Gara came through a tough battle last night with Tyrone's Barry Devlin 21-15, 21-14. The winner plays into Dominic Lynch (Kerry) or Ciaran Neary (KK), who face off in Hospital at 2.30pm. Lynch is the recently crowned Munster Champ, and having reached the Nationals SF will be expected by many to progress. Big hitting Neary though only fell to an 11-9 tiebreak at the Nationals to Gary McConnell in a humdinger of a match, and having reached last years Doubles decider, will be confident in his ability to cause an upset.
Arguably the tie of the round is Ger Coonan (Tipp) v Seamas O'Carroll (Lim) at Cashel. Coonan is the #4 seed in the Championship and starts as slight favourite, but O'Carroll on his return to the court this year will be bouyed by a strong showing in his 21-15, 21-14 win over Offaly's David Hope last night.
Last game in the round is Joe McCann (Mayo) v Carl Browne (Dublin). Both men are more commonly known for controlling the right side of a Doubles court, but are talented Singles players capable of causing a few shocks. McCann missed the Nationals and thus comes into this game rusty perhaps, whilst Browne will be keen to get back on track after losing out to Dominic Lynch in his first round Nationals encounter.
Saturday 13th August
At Garryhill, Carlow (OIC Sean Ryan 087 2609720) At 4.30pm
- MSS B. Limerick (Paudi Quish) v Meath (Gary McConnell)
At Kingscourt, Cavan (OIC Michael Finnegan 087 9614884) At 2.00pm
- MSS C: Meath (Brian Carroll) v Cavan (James Brady)
At Coolgreany, Wexford (OIC Damian Kelly 086 2498656) At 3.00pm
- MSS D: Mayo (Vinny Moran) v Wexford (Gavin Buggy)
- MSS A: Dublin (Eoin Kennedy) v Kilkenny (Brian Manogue)
At St. Coman’s, Roscommon (OIC Mary Tully 087 7826719) At 1.00pm ***Note Change of Time***
- MSS F: Mayo (Joe McCann) v Dublin (Carl Browne)
At Hospital, Limerick (OIC John Penny 087 9115411) At 2.30pm
- MSS G: Kerry (Dominick Lynch) v Kilkenny (Ciaran Neary)
At Cashel, Tipperary (OIC David Moloney 086 6050807) At 12.30pm
- MSS E. Tipperary (Ger Coonan) v Limerick (Seamus O’Carroll)
At Abbeylara, Longford (OIC Anna O’Reilly 086 3509829) At 3pm
- MSS H. Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy) v Roscommon (Rikki O’Gara)