Benny Doyle and Gavin Buggy Reach All Ireland 40×20 Singles Finals

We had two player who travelled to Clare to play their All Ireland 40×20 Singles Semi Finals. Benny Doyle (Horeswood) came away from Tulla with a 21-9, 21-17 over Pat Donnellan in Diamond Masters A Singles. In Tuamgraney Mark Rodgers was too strong on the day for Josh Kavanagh (St Josephs) in Minor Singles, winning 21-8, 21-8,

Gavin Buggy (St Josephs) also booked his place in the All Ireland Over 35A Final with a comprehensive win against Pat Nolan from Clare in Cullohill during the week, winning on a scoreline of 21-5, 21-3. Gavin was back in Cullohill today for his Mens Open Senior Singles Semi Final against the defending champion Martin Mulkerrins from Galway. A tough ask it proved to be with Martin winning 21-8, 21-5.

There was no joy for the three Wexford players who played their All Ireland 40×20 Singles Semi finals in St. Josephs this afternoon. In Masters A Singles Barry McWilliams (Horeswood) was always going to be up against it playing the highly regarded Dominick Lynch from Kerry. Barry battled hard but lost out in two straight games. In Silver Masters B Singles John Roche (Castlebridge) got off to a slow start against John Kennedy from Tipperary, losing the first game 21-3. John turned things round and led at one point in the second game 13-5, but the Tipp man produced a great comeback to get back level at 18-18. Unfortunately he then took the next three aces to close out the game.

The last game of the day was the Diamond Masters B Singles between Tom Byrne (Kilmyshall) and Seamus Donovan from Limerick. The first game was very tight with Seamus edging it 21-18. Tom dug deep in the second game and came out on top 21-14. The effort put in to get level took its toll in the deciding game, however, with Seamus winning it on a 21-4 scoreline.

Best of luck to Benny and Gavin in their respective All Ireland Singles Finals in two weeks time.

Also good luck tomorrow to our juvenile players who travel to Tinryland to take on Munster in the All Ireland Semi Finals, Jodie Keeling (U14S), Dean O’Neill (U17S)  and Joe Devereux and David Doyle (U17D) who won their rescheduled Leinster Final v Kilkenny last nigh, winning 11-0 in the tie  break.