Meath's Brian Carroll and Gary McConnell retained their MyClubShop.ie All-Ireland softball senior doubles title with a comfortable 21-11, 21-8 win over first-time finalists Robbie McCarthy and Colm Jordan of Westmeath.
In the process, the Kells duo made history as the final was the last ever to be played in the iconic handball centre at Croke Park, which is due to be demolished in the coming weeks.
Carroll, a nine-time winner in this grade, was his usual energetic self, dominating on the right side of the court, while McConnell’s fly kills and power were the difference as the Mullingar pair were unable to impose themselves.
McCarthy, who recently slipped to a shock defeat against Eoin Kennedy in the corresponding singles final, was unusually out of sorts, making some uncharacteristic errors, and the Meath pair were clinical when handed offensive opportunities.
Earlier, Kilkenny’s Shane Dunne won the intermediate singles with a highly impressive win over Tyrone’s Ryan Mullan, while Dunne’s brother Kyle paired up with Billy O’Neill to bring the minor doubles title to Noreside for the 13th time with a convincing win over Monaghan’s Eoghan McGinnity and Tiernan O’Rourke.
