Kilkenny handballers suffered defeat in the M Donnelly All-Ireland finals at the weekend.
In the minor doubles final, Limerick young-guns CJ Fitzpatrick and Seamus O’Carroll collected back-to-back titles when they defeated Kilkenny’s Ger McGrath and Patrick Funchion. Tipperary’s Ger Coonan also wrote his own piece of history when he defeated Kilkenny’s Nicholas Anthony to take the intermediate singles title to add to the doubles crown he collected two week ago.
Meath’s Tom Sheridan collected his ninth All-Ireland senior doubles title at Croke Park, when he and partner, Brian Carroll defeated Mayo’s Dessie Keegan and Joe McCann, in a thrilling M Donnelly final at handball headquarters.
Meath veteran, Sheridan last appeared in an All-Ireland doubles final in 2004 and the 40-year-old was in top form during Meath’s victory over the men from the West.
"It was fantastic to be back in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day, and to win was something special," said Sheridan.
"Brian played unbelievable handball and I’m just delighted we came through that."
In the first game, both sides opened with intent but it was the Royal County pairing who broke into a steady run as they went 13-8 up. They went onto dominate the proceedings and sealed the first 21-12, despite some clinical finishing from Keegan.
Mayo went 6-0 up in the second game, but Meath recovered quickly as young Carroll came into his own. The 21-year-old DIT graduate killed some great balls, and was consistent throughout. After levelling the game at 6-6, the Kells’ clubmen pushed into top gear and went on to take the game 21-11 and collect their first All-Ireland senior doubles title as a pairing.
"It’s great to have achieved this in our first year together and we look forward to defending our title next year," said Sheridan.
