O'Carroll takes Intervarsity crown

Seamus O'Carroll (LIT) is the newly crowned All-Ireland 40x20 Intervarsity Open Champion following a sensational tie-breaker victory over Shane Hedigan (Tralee IT).

The 21-10, 20-21,11-8 scoreline is a great reflection of the titanic battle which took place in Kingscourt (Cavan) where the Limerick man took his first college's crown.

O'Carroll came through a tough semi clash with UUJ's Padraig McGlinchey, while Hedigan had a great semi-final win over Stephen Cooney (DIT), who sensationally knocked out top seed, Darragh Daly, in the quarter-final.

In the first game, O'Carroll raced into a 4-1 lead before Hedigan came back to level the game at 5-5.

O'Carroll recomposed himself to take command of proceedings, going 12-7 up as Hedigan fought to break the Limerick man's stride.

O'Carroll held out to take the first game 21-10, but a determined Hedigan took the court for the second battle, going 6-1 up in the early stages.

However, O'Carroll edged his way back and powered 13-9 ahead, with four left hand corner kills soon following to put him 18-9 ahead, with victory in sight.

Hedigan, however, then came into his stride and a gallant effort saw him level at 18-18, and eventually take the game at 21-20 to force a tie breaker.

Hedigan went 5-1 up in the decider before O'Carroll fought back to 5-3; Hedigan forged ahead 7-3, but O'Carroll then ran into a 10-7 led before eventually sealing the title with an 11-8 victory to claim his first Intervarsity title.

In the blue riband ladies event, UCD's Marianna Rushe successfully defended her Women's Open title with a 21-15, 21-8 win over Shauna Hilley (IT Tralee).

Hilley took an early lead but the experienced Rushe clawed back points to take a 13-8 lead.

The Tralee student battled to stay in contention but Rushe eventually took the first, 21-15.

In the second game, Rushe showed some of her top form, and rattled off aces to take a 21-8 victory and retain the Ladies Open crown.