The action kicks off on St Patricks Day with twelve games down for decision in the 2017 O’Neills All Ireland Finals Weekend.
PREVIEW:
A number of the Masters Grades take place on Friday with Galway’s Morgan Darcy taking on Tipperary’s Jim Ryan in the Over 70’s grade. Other games to look out for are the meeting of Carlow’s John Rossiter and Tipperary’s Billy Mullins in the Diamond Masters with Rossiter looking to retain the title he won last year. A number of other intriguing battles take place as the Festival Weekend kicks into gear on Friday night.
ONE TO WATCH:
Junior Singles: Dublin (Keith Burke) v Monaghan (Gavin Coyle). Both players have shown signs of hitting top form coming in to the weekend finals. Keith Burke was in fine form overcoming Roscommon’s Sean Jennings in his semi-final over two games while Monaghan’s Coyle prevailed in a three game thriller with an eye catching win over Cork’s Ryan Harkin 21-19, 15-21, 21-13. While Burke would have the greater experience Coyle’s semi-final victory will leave the Monaghan man in confident form. This could take a third game to settle this one!
A late addition to the Friday Night schedule is the Over 35 A Final between Antrim's Ricky McCann & Wexford's Gavin Buggy. Both men are well capable to still compete well at Senior level thus the quality in this match will be high.
TOO TIGHT TO CALL:
Emerald Masters A Singles: Antrim (Thomas Maguire) v Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy). Both men have been here and seen it all before when it comes to All Ireland Finals. Both men are in tremendous shape and are eager to land the Emerald Masters title on Friday night. This could be one of a number of tight games that are too tight to call.
