The 2008 M Donnelly 60x30 Senior Championship goes into overdrive this weekend with nine games down for decision as players fight it out to keep their championship hopes alive. In order of pedigree, top of the pecking order is the meeting of number four seed, Dessie Keegan (Mayo) and Meath stalwart Karl Browne. Keegan has appeared in the final stages of the singles and doubles competitions on many occasions over the past few years, but this year his aim is to take to the Croke Park stage on All-Ireland Final Day in September. "It's a massive occasion to play in Croke Park and when I listed my goals for 2008, playing there in September was top of the list", said Keegan. "It's early days in the championship and I'm taking it one game at a time but that's the ultimate goal". Keegan has already collected some silverware, having taken the All-Ireland Senior Hardball title in May. Last year, Dublin's Eoin Kennedy collected both senior hardball and softball titles, and Keegan will be hoping he can recreate that feat. However, Keegan's opening game will be no walkover and the Mayo man's Royal opponent is no stranger to the Croke Park stage, having collected an All-Ireland Minor title in 2005 and Intermediate Singles crown in 2005. "Carl will be a difficult opponent, I've no doubt about that, but hopefully I can lift my game on Saturday", said Keegan. Meath and Mayo will also face off in another meeting this weekend as Keegan's clubmate Campbell Brennen bids to upset Kells' Tom Sheridan, the 2003 All-Ireland Senior Softball Champion. Sheridan has amassed an incredible nine All-Ireland senior titles, and as the number three seed in the competition, will be one to watch as the championship goes into the latter stages. Some exciting games lie ahead over the summer months, and with Kilkenny legend, Michael 'Ducksy' Walsh and last year's champion, Kennedy, awaiting the outcome of this weekend's game, the round of 16 will be even more exciting. M Donnelly All-Ireland Senior Softball Round of 32 Fixtures At Garryhill, Wednesday 2nd July, 7.30pm Michael Walsh (Kilkenny) v Ian Griffin (Dublin) 21-2, 21-4 At Mulingar, Friday 11th July, 7.30pm Brian Manogue v Robert McCarthy (Westmeath) OIC R McCarthy and Referee J Gilfoyle At St. Coman's, Friday 11th July, 7.30pm Dessie Keegan (Mayo) v Carl Browne (Meath) Brian Carroll (Meath) v Vinnie Moran (Mayo) OIC A. Cunningham, Referee C. Doolin At Clonmel Saturday 12th July, 4.00pm Gavin Buggy (Wexford) v Paul Hedderman(Limerick) Patrick Buckley (Cork) v Cormac Smyth (Wexford) OIC K. Conway. Referee T. Morrissey At Mulingar, Saturday 12th July, 5.00pm Tom Sheridan (Meath) v Campbell Brennan (Mayo) OIC and Referee, R McCarthy At Crinkle, Saturday 12th July, 5.00pm Walter O'Connor (Meath) v CJ Fitzpatrick (Limerick) OIC K. Cooke, Referee A Hoare At Garryhill, Saturday 12th July, 4.00pm Tommy Hynes (Wexford) v Josie O'Dwyer (Tipperary) OIC and Referee S. Ryan At Hospital, Saturday 12th July 5.00pm Dominick Lynch (Kerry) v Nicholas Anthony (Kilkenny) OIC and Referee M. O' Connor At Mulingar, Tuesday 15th July, 7.30pm Michael Finnegan (Cavan) v Paul Mullins (Tipperary) OIC and Referee R McCarthy At Croke Park, Tuesday 15th July, 7.30pm Egin Jensen (Dublin) v Patrick Finnegan (Cavan) OIC and Referee J Molloy At New Ross, Tuesday 15th July, 8.00pm Kenneth Kane (Carlow) v Michael Gregan (Wicklow) OIC and Referee T Breen Tweet

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