Whilst the radar for most 60x30 fans is set on this Saturday's SIngles Finals in Croke Park, 8 Doubles pairings were out last weekend in the opening round of the Men's Doubles Championship.
Hot favourite for the singles title, Robbie McCarthy was due to make his first appearance in the Doubles Championship for a number of years, but he and partner David Mulaniff received a late w/o.
That left 4 encounters, with all four higher seeds progressing through to the QF's. Former semi-finalists Rikki O'Gara & Damien Martin (Roscommon) squeezed through in a great tussle with Limerick brothers Seamus & Podge O'Carroll 21-17 in the third, to now face last years champs Eoin Kennedy & Carl Browne (Dublin).
The experienced duo of Tommy Hynes & Gavin Buggy had too much for Limerick's Paudi Quish & Paul Hedderman, winning 21-6, 21-16 to set up a QF with McCarthy & Mulaniff.
Tipperary's recently crowned Munster champion Ger Coonan & David Maloney came through the test of Kilkenny's Brian Manogue & Eddie Burke 21-10, 21-14, and will now face the big hitters from Mayo Dessie Keegan & Joe McCann, themselves 6 time finalists as a duo.
After seeing off Vinny Moran & Campbell Brennan (Mayo) in two straight games 21-5, 21-5, Kerry's Dominic Lynch & JJ Quirke face the daunting task of Brian Carroll & Tom Sheridan, who after missing last years Championship, will be strong contenders to win their 6th Doubles title together.
All four QF's are set for Saturday Sept 17th. Venues TBC.
Saturday 3rd September
MyClubShop.ie All-Ireland 60x30 Mens Senior Doubles Last 16
- 1. Roscommon (R O’Gara/D Martin) dft Limerick (S O’Carroll/P O’Carroll) 17-21, 21-5, 21-17
- 2. Wexford (T Hynes/Gavin Buggy) dft Limerick (P Quish/P Hedderman) 21-6, 21-16
- 3. Westmeath (R McCarthy/D Mulaniff) W/O Tyrone (Barry Devlin/G McCrystall) scr.
- 4. Tipperary (Ger Coonan/D Moloney) dft Kilkenny (B Manogue/E Burke) 21-10, 21-14
- 5. Kerry (D Lynch/John Joe Quirke) dft Mayo (V Moran/Campbell Brennan) 21-5, 21-5