By Paul Fitzpatrick
Meath’s Gary McConnell is the first man through to the M Donnelly All-Ireland 60x30 Senior Singles semi-finals after he saw off Wexford’s Gavin Buggy before a large crowd in Ballymore Eustace, Kildare this evening (Friday).
The Kells clubman came through a tough test against all-rounder Buggy on a 21-5, 15-21, 21-14 scoreline in a high quality affair from which both players emerged with credit.
McConnell played superbly in the first but fell 19-7 down in game two before belatedly rediscovering his groove and fighting back to 15. Buggy, who has only recently returned to 60x30 training following the World Championships, closed it out 21-19 but McConnell had the momentum and raced out to a 6-0 lead in the deciding game.
To his credit, Buggy came roaring back with a succession of impressive kills to take a 10-9 lead but McConnell regrouped and sped away to 17-10 before finishing the game – and the match – 21-14.
“I was happy with how I played as he's a very good player in 60X30. He’s in great shape to be fair to him. There was a big crowd there and it was a great game for them to watch,” Buggy told GAAHandball.ie after the match.