Hynes and Buggy face their moment of truth
Written by Antoin Ó Braoin, Rúnaí Contae
Despite the success of both Wexford handballers in their respective overage championships there is little doubt that for Tommy Hynes and Gavin Buggy their season will be defined by what happens at Talbot Inch on Saturday, 23rd August when they face new Dublin partnership Eoin Kennedy and Carl Browne in the quarter finals of this years M Donnelly 60×30 Open Doubles championship.
Last year at Garryhill the same Wexford pairing were involved in one of the all time great softball matches when they were edged out 21-18 in the third game by the eventual champions Tom Sheridan and Brain Carroll, Meath. For a long time that night it appeared the Wexford lads were on the verge of a huge upset that would have shook the handball world to its foundations, but in the end the brilliant Sheridan and Carroll prevailed in the tightest of finishes.
It was never a case of the Royals under performing at the Carlow venue back then as Hynes and Buggy matched them stroke for stroke and at times looked like the kind of partnership that had it in them to win an All Ireland senior doubles title. The switch of allegiance from Meath to Dublin by Carl Browne has added another twist to an intriguing competition this time around however and apart altogether from any impact this might have if and when Dublin and Meath collide, there is no doubt that this coming together of Kennedy and Browne spells trouble for Hynes and Buggy.
Kennedy is acknowledged as one of the all time great 60×30 singles players and the only thing preventing him making an impact in the doubles championship up to now has been the lack of a suitable partner. That ‘problem’ appeared to be solved recently when he and Browne strolled to success in the 60×30 Nationals, when they defeated, amongst others, Hynes and Buggy and Sheridan and Carroll.
That recent meeting of the sides which resulted in a 31-25 win for Dublin can be ignored however as it was played to a shorter format and both of the Wexford played had engaged in the county senior doubles final against each other the night before.
Another classic 60×30 encounter at Garryhill looks assured.
The full quarter final draws and fixtures can be viewed under our fixtures tab on the menu bar.