There were some hard-fought matches but no major surprises in the O’Neill’s All-Ireland Senior Doubles quarter-finals in Moycullen, Co Galway, with top seeds Diarmaid Nash and Colin Crehan (Clare) easing past local favourites Diarmuid Mulkerrins and Cian Ó Conghaile (21-11, 21-6).
Kilkenny brothers Peter and Patrick Funchion dropped the first game 21-16 against Cork’s Brendan Fleming and Tadhg O’Neill before rallying to win 21-10, 11-3.
There was better luck for another Rebel duo, Daniel Relihan and Michael Hedigan, who were 21-12, 21-16 winners against Wicklow’s Michael Gregan and Johnny Willoughby.
Cork’s Tadhg Carroll and David Walsh were given a walkover by Wexford (due to illness) and will meet the Claremen in next weekend’s semi-finals.
RESULTS
O'Neill's All-Ireland 4-Wall Senior Doubles quarter-finals
QF1: Clare (Diarmaid Nash & Colin Crehan) dft. Galway (Diarmuid Mulkerrins & Cian O'Conghaile) 21-11, 21-6
QF2: Cork (Daniel Relihan & Michael Hedigan) dft Wicklow (Michael Gregan & Johnny Willoughby) 21-12, 21-16
QF3: Kilkenny (Peter Funchion & Patrick Funchion) dft Cork (Brendan Fleming & Tadgh O'Neill) 16-21, 21-10, 11-3
QF4: Cork (Tadhg Carroll & David Walsh) W/O Wexford (Gavin Buggy & Adam Walsh) Scr
This weekend, 4-wall action returns to Croke Park after a long hiatus. Full preview to follow later in the week.
FIXTURES
O’Neill’s All-Ireland 4-Wall Senior Doubles semi-finals, Sunday April 2, 10am
LSS SF 1: Galway (Ciana Ni Churraoin & Niamh Heffernan) v Tyrone (Eilise McCrory & Aoife Kelly)
LSS SF 2: Cork (Catriona Casey & Aisling O'Keeffe) v Roscommon (Fiona Tully & Siobhan Tracey
MSS SF 3: Clare (Diarmuid Nash & Colin Crehan) v Cork (Tadgh Carroll & David Walsh)
MSS SF 4: Cork (Daniel Relihan & Michael Hedigan) v Kilkenny (Patrick & Peter Funchion)