Meath Football

A number of quarter-finals in Meath senior, intermediate and junior football championships are down for decision this weekend. Last year"s surprise senior championship winners Seneschalstown failed to make it through to the last nine and favourites Navan O"Mahonys, beaten finalists in each of the last two years, meet Donaghmore/Ashbourne or St Patrick"s (who were due to meet on Tuesday evening) in their quarter-final. Wolfe Tones, champions in 2006, have been showing some impressive form in the current campaign and are expected to account for Duleek/Bellewstown at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday evening. Cian Ward continues to sparkle in attack where John Tiernan was in terrific form in the recent win over Skryne while Eoghan Harrington, Ciaran and Niall McLoughlin and Stephen Corrigan are other key men. Dunboyne, winners in 2005, meet Summerhill at Dunshaughlin on Sunday evening. Dunshaughlin and Blackhall Gaels will be in opposition in a last eight tie at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday, all games at 6.30. Intermediate quarter-finals - Friday, St Ultan"s v St Michael"s, at Pairc Tailteann; Saturday, Ballinlough v Dunderry, at Bohermeen; Sunday, Gaeil Colmcille v Na Fianna, at Athboy and Cortown v Carnaross or Syddan, venue to be arranged, all at 6.30pm. There will also be interest in the Junior D football championship final between Wolfe Tones and Clann na nGael at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening. Tommy Dowd, who captained Meath to All-Ireland glory in 1996, will be in action for Tones, whom he helped to their SFC success two years ago and was on their JFC B winning team in 2007. Handball pair in All-Ireland final The Meath handballing pair of Tom Sheridan and Brian Carroll advanced to the All-Ireland 60 x 30 senior doubles championship final when scoring a thrilling victory over defending title holders Eoin Kennedy and Egin Jensen of Dublin 21-20, 20-21, 21-15. The epic encounter lasted two and a half hours before the new partnership of Kells veteran Sheridan and rising star and clubmate Carroll eventually got the better of the Dublin duo who had won the championship in each of the previous three years. Sheridan is the holder of eight senior doubles titles and he and Carroll were keenly determined to halt their opponents" winning streak. They started very strongly before their rivals fought back to make the first two games very close. Deciding game In the deciding game Sheridan and Carroll laid the basis for the victory when going into a 16-9 lead before increasing the advantage to 18-11. Although their opponents closed the gap, they had to concede the title. Tom Sheridan said it was the best game he ever took part in during a long career Sheridan and Carroll can now look forward to playing in the All-Ireland doubles decider at Croke Park on Saturday, September 20.