The top four seeds in the M DONNELLY 60x30 All-Ireland Senior Singles Championship all came through their quarter-final battles unscathed over the weekend. Although the outcome may have been as per the script, both Meath's Tom Sheridan and Dessie Keegan (Mayo) were forced to third games by their respective opponents having lost their opening encounters. Sheridan was in action against Kerry's Dominic Lynch and the man from the Kingdom put up a brave battle against the 2003 champion. Lynch opened with intent, perhaps too much, and calling on all his reserves took the first game 21-9. However, this came at a cost as Sheridan dominated the second game to win 21-1 and took the third 21-12 to book his semi-final spot against Kilkenny's Ducksy Walsh. Walsh defeated Sheridan's doubles partner, Brian Carroll in his tie and despite only edging the young Meath handballer 21-19 in the first, took the second 21-13 to schedule an exciting semi-final fixture against long time rival Sheridan. Mayo kingpin, Keegan had a grueling meeting with the athletic Wicklow man, Michael Gregan. Gregan played some top handball in the opener, eventually winning 21-15, but it was the second game which thrilled onlookers. Both men had chances to finish the game out, but it was Keegan who kept his championship hopes alive by piping the Coolboy man at the post 21-20. In the third, Keegan kept his composure and finished strongly to take the game 21-9 and seal his place in the last four. Meanwhile, defending champion, Dublin's Eoin Kennedy was also forced to work hard for his victory over Westmeath's Robert McCarthy. Despite going down 21-3 in the first, McCarthy took the game to the five time senior singles champion but the experience of the Dubliner told as he survived on a 21-19 scoreline. Attention will now turn to the senior doubles championship with the All-Ireland quarter-finals taking place next weekend. M DONNELLY 60x30 SENIOR SINGLES QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS Eoin Kennedy (Dublin) dft Robert McCarthy (Westmeath) 21-3, 21-19 Dessie Keegan (Mayo) dft Michael Gregan (Wicklow) 15-21, 21-20, 21-9 Tom Sheridan (Meath) dft Dominic Lynch (Kerry) 9-21, 21-1, 21-12 Michael 'Ducksy' Walsh (Kilkenny) dft Brian Carroll (Meath)  21-19, 21-13 Tweet

Most Read Stories