Published: Wednesday, 2nd September, 2009 9:40am

Sheridan and Carroll into final

Meath's Brian Carroll and Tom Sheridan produced a highly impressive battling performance in the All-Ireland 60 x 30 senior doubles semi-final at Croke Park on Saturday to defeat Kilkenny's Michael 'Duxie' Walsh and Michael Clifford.

In the opening game, the pairings swapped aces early on and unbelievably were level on nine occasions. At 20-20, the spectators at Croke Park were on the edge of their seats as Clifford rolled out a perfect shot to give the Cats first blood.

The same competitive action continued in the second game until the sides drew level at 14-14. At this stage, Kilkenny pushed into top gear and notched off six unanswered points to bring them within one point of victory, but Meath responded.

Sheridan, one of the best doubles players in the game, threw caution to the wind and with his usual dynamic flare, brought the sides level at 20-20. With a final place on the line, the Royal County hit 21 to force a third game, which they dominated to take victory on a 21-10 scoreline.

"We're just delighted to have come through that game," said Carroll, in the immediate aftermath of Meath's triumph.

"Last year we had a similar semi-final encounter against Egin Jensen and Eoin Kennedy and it really stood to us in the final, but today was a strange game to play in and we're just relieved to still be in the championship."

Meanwhile, Kennedy and Jensen will return to the All-Ireland final stage following their defeat of Wicklow's Michael Gregan and Johnny Willoughby in the second semi-final at Croke Park.