Meath's Brian Carroll and Gary McConnell are the MyClubShop.ie All-Ireland 60x30 Senior Doubles champions for 2018 after they saw off Dublin's Eoin Kennedy and Carl Browne in a pulsating final at Croke Park on Saturday evening.
The Kells clubmen fell 9-1 down in the first game, with first-time finalist McConnell displaying signs of nerves.
However, they quickly settled and even though they lost the first set 21-19, they rallied to win the second 21-14 and out-lasted the Dubs 21-17 in a thrilling third game, with McConnell immense in the closing exchanges.
Carroll now has eight medals in this grade in the traditional 'big alley', having won the cup seven times before in partnership with the retired Tom Sheridan.
Earlier, Kilkenny's Ciaran Cooney and Billy O'Neill won the Minor Doubles against Cork, with the Cats also claiming the Intermediate Singles when Brian Mahon defeated Waterford's Philip Butler in a third game (21-9, 13-21, 21-8).
Results:
Saturday 27th October – MyClubShop.ie All-Ireland Softball Finals in Croke Park
- Senior Doubles Final: Meath (Brian Carroll/Gary McConnell) dft Dublin (Eoin Kennedy/Carl Browne) 19-21, 21-12, 21-17
- Intermediate Singles Final: Kilkenny (Brian Mahon) dft Waterford (Philip Butler) 21-9, 13-21, 21-8
- Minor Doubles Final: Kilkenny (Billy O'Neill/Ciaran Cooney) dft Cork (Conor Walsh/Cian O’Driscoll) 21-11, 10-21, 21-10