Preview: All-Ireland Men's Senior Softball Singles quarter-finals
Westmeath handballer, Robbie McCarthy.
By Paul Fitzpatrick
The race for the 2026 All-Ireland Men's Senior Softball Singles title moves into the quarter-final stage this weekend with four intriguing contests down for decision.
Leading the way is defending champion Gary McConnell, who produced another statement performance in the opening round when dispatching former Tipperary hurling All-Ireland winner Jerome Cahill on a 21-2, 21-8 scoreline.
The Kells star recently added another title to his collection at the recent Irish Nationals (pre-championship tournament) but retaining the All-Ireland will be his main goal for the year. His opponent, Kilkenny's Ciaran Neary, earned his place with a solid victory over Limerick's Evan Murphy and will relish the opportunity to test himself against the reigning champion. Neary possesses an excellent left hand and plenty of power but will need to produce his best to trouble McConnell.
The stand-out tie of the round may well be the clash between Robbie McCarthy and Ger Coonan. McCarthy, one of the greatest players the game has ever produced, looked in ominous form when he brushed aside Cork's Hayden Supple in the previous round.
The Westmeath ace remains one of the most complete players in handball, combining power with tactical intelligence and vast experience. Coonan, however, arrives full of confidence after edging past highly-rated Kilkenny youngster Kyle Jordan in a hard-fought encounter (21-19, 21-19) last time out, franking the good form he showed in the inter-club All-Irelands. The Tipperary veteran is in tremendous form but the mercurial McCarthy will start favourite.
The first of the quarter-finals takes place tonight in Taghmon, Co Wexford as McConnell’s clubmate Brian Carroll takes on home favourite Mark Doyle in what promises to be a high-quality contest.
Carroll, one of the most decorated doubles players the game has seen, comfortably accounted for Chris Doolin in the opening round and his ambidextrous attacking game makes him a dangerous opponent for anybody left in the draw.
Doyle, however, is one of the brightest young talents in the country. The Wexford player defeated Brian Mahon in Croke Park last week and, having recently returned home from his studies in Minnesota, he should be improving by the week. Doyle will have home-county support behind him and may see this as a golden opportunity to reach a first senior semi-final.
The remaining quarter-final pits Sligo's Cormac Finn against Wexford's Gavin Buggy. Finn produced one of the performances of the opening round when defeating former Intermediate Doubles champion Jack Holden of Kilkenny. Widely regarded as one of the best young talents in the game, the Ballymote clubman will have his sights set on an extended run in the competition.
Buggy, who won the Senior Doubles in tandem with Galen Riordan in 2022, progressed after receiving a walkover from Gearóid Healy of Cork.
Meanwhile, two ladies' Senior quarter-finals take place tomorrow at St Coman's, Roscommon, with two fascinating ties down for decision. Westmeath’s Aoife McCarthy and Cork’s Aishling O'Keeffe both impressed in the previous round but face stern tests against Leah Minogue from Clare and former senior finalist Cuileann Bourke of Mayo respectively.