Having been beaten in the final in a tiebreaker against Wexford’s Gavin Buggy and Galen Riordan last season, motivation is sky high for the Meath pairing of Gary McConnell and Brian Carroll this time around, writes Paul Fitzpatrick.
“We were so disappointed to lose the final last year. Coming out of Wexford after losing that final was so disappointing, after getting a great lead in the first game. We just got into a battle in the second and the Wexford lads just got on top,” explained McConnell.
“There was a great crowd there that day from Wexford supporting the lads, there was a bit of pressure than and we probably got into a battle and unfortunately we lost that game.
“But it provided unbelievable motivation to get our title back after winning it the previous two years and then with Covid, there was no championship.
“Look, we’re just mad to get our title back, we’re after training hard since March, April there and we’re delighted to be back in a final. We can’t wait for it and the win over Dublin in the semi-final has given us great confidence going into the final.
“If we can play anything like we played on Saturday (in the semi-final), I can’t see anybody touching us. But you don’t know what way a final can go but we just have to concentrate on our own game and bring our own game to Galway on the day.”
The Royals have a chance to set a unique record; they won the last final in the old Ceannáras and have an opportunity to win the first ‘big alley’ doubles decider in the new centre.
“After winning the last ever game in the old centre it would definitely be lovely to win the first 60x30 Senior Doubles in the new complex. It would be lovely looking back in a couple of years’ time to be able to say that we won the last in the old complex and the first in the new complex. It would be lovely but we are not concentrating on that to be honest, we’re just looking to get the win and we can’t wait for the final.”
Martin and Diarmuid Mulkerrins represent familiar foes for the Kells men.
“We’re really looking forward to the game against the two Mulkerrins’. We had a great battle a couple of years ago in the 40x20 (All-Ireland SD final) where it went to a tiebreaker. It’s going to be a tough game definitely against the lads, they’re after having a great win over Ciaran Neary and Mick Clifford in the quarter-final and another great win on Saturday so it’s going to be a good game and I’m looking forward to it.
“I’m sure they’re coming in with confidence after getting two wins on the bounce and all that Martin has won this year, I’m sure the confidence is high but hopefully on the day we’ll have the upper hand on them and get the win.
“But we definitely expect a tough battle, the lads are not going to come to Croke Park and lie down, they’ll be coming to battle. The Galway crowd always brings a good crowd to it too and we’ll have a good crowd up from Meath as well so it should be good with Meath in the Tailteann Cup final afterwards as well.
“With Galway and Meath the last day in Kingscourt (when they met in the 40x20 final), it was a great atmosphere. It’s always good to play when you have a good set of supporters outside roaring and shouting. I’m looking forward to it and I just can’t wait for the final now."
The Senior Doubles final programme serves off at 12 noon on Saturday at Croke Park.
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