Reigning All-Ireland champions, Dublin's Eoin Kennedy and Egin Jensen will take on Model County pairing, Tommy Hynes and Colin Keeling in the M DONNELLY All-Ireland Senior Softball Quarter-final this weekend. The Dubs will need to be in top form to take another step forward in this year's championship with Hynes and Keeling viewed by many as potential finalists this year. Kennedy is well aware of the talent of the Wexford pairing, which won the title in 2000, but is hopeful that the three time champs can use their experience to book a semi-final place. "There's always going to be a bit more pressure on when you go into a game as defending champions but Egin and I have worked hard this year and hopefully all goes well for us on Saturday," said the St Brigid's clubman, Kennedy. "Tommy and Colin are two fine handballers and have plenty of experience in the big alley, but we know what we have to do." Also at the Garryhill (Carlow) venue on Saturday, Meath's Walter O'Connor and Carl Browne take on Wexford's second pairing of Cormac Smyth and Gavin Buggy. There is very little between the two pairs and O'Connor and Buggy are both experienced players in the senior doubles championship. O'Connor last won the All-Ireland crown with Tom Sheridan in 2004 while Buggy will be hoping to make amends for his 2006 doubles defeat. Sheridan pairs up with Brian Carroll this weekend as the Royal duo take on Kerry's Dominick Lynch and JJ Quirke. The Meath men will be favourites in this clash but Lynch has been in top form in the Senior Singles championship and will be determined to cause an upset. Meanwhile, number two seeds, Mayo's Joe McCann and Dessie Keegan take on Westmeath father and son pairing, Robbie McCarthy Senior and Junior. The men from the west reached the final in last year's championship, but McCann was forced to withdrawn due to a collapsed lung. The pair will be anxious to make amends for the 2007 season but must over this strong Lake County partnership if they are to progress to the semi-final stages. M DONNELLY All-Ireland Senior Doubles Quarter-Finals At Garryhill, Saturday 16 August, 6pm Eoin Kennedy & Egin Jensen (Dublin) v Tommy Hynes & Colin Keeling (Wexford) Carl Brown & Walter O'Connor (Meath) v Cormac Smyth & Gavin Buggy (Wexford) At Cashel, Saturday 16 August, 6pm Dominick Lynch & JJ Quirke (Kerry) v Tom Sheridan & Brian Carroll (Meath) At St Coman's, Roscommon, Saturday 16 August, 6pm Robbie McCarthy Jnr & Robbie McCarthy Snr (Westmeath) v Dessie Keegan & Joe McCann (Mayo) Tweet

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