Meath's Brian Carroll and Tom Sheridan are All-Ireland Senior Doubles Champions, following a 21-10, 21-18 win over Kilkenny's Ducksy Walsh and Michael Clifford at Semple Stadium, Thurles.
The match looked to be heading for third game when the Kilkenny duo went 19-18 up in the second, but Carroll and Sheridan regained service and pulled out an incredible last three aces to claim their second crown in three years.
Both games were saturated with top class handball, from serves to clinical finishes and indeed, plenty of drama. Sheridan and Carroll controlled long stages of the first game, but some exceptional play from Clifford and Walsh threw them a lifeline on many occasions.
The sides were level three times in the second game, but it was to be Meath’s day, and the Royal County supporters voiced their delight when Carroll and Sheridan hit 21.
In the Minor Doubles final, Limerick duo, Padraig O’Carroll and Eamon Davern had just one ace to spare over their Roscommon opponents, Cian Connolly and Mark Nally.
The Treaty men carried the favourites tag into the game, but Roscommon failed to read the script and took the first game 21-9. However, Limerick turned on the style in the second and closed out a tight game at 21-16.
The third game proved to be even more exciting than the previous two, with all four players leaving everything in the court. When Roscommon went 20-19 up in the decider, the title destination looked decided, but as was the course of the game, there was yet another turn, as Limerick regained serve.
Davern made no mistake with his two serves and Limerick hit 21 to seal the 2010 Minor Doubles crown.
In the Intermediate Singles final, Padraig's brother, Seamus, was awarded the title after Kilkenny’s Timmy Cilfford sustained an ankle injury.
O'Carroll has edged ahead just minutes into the first game, when Clifford twisted on his ankle and despite an injury time-out, was unable to continue.
In the Ladies Minor Doubles, Cork’s Catriona Casey overcame Mayo’s Amy Corrigan to claim the first title of the day on offer.
