Joy, despair and remarkable comebacks - the best pics from today's All-Ireland Schools finals

There were tears, and plenty of them.

IT WAS A day of high emotion at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght as the All-Ireland Schools finals were decided.

Ard Scoil Rathangan grabbed the headlines as they staged a remarkable comeback to claim the U19A title. The Kildare school were trailing St Eunan’s by 28 points in the third quarter but rallied to overhaul the deficit to win 70-67.

Andrew McGeever of Saint Eunans with Ciaran Maher of Ard Scoil Rathangan grapple for possession

Andrew McGeever with Ciaran Maher Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

It was a hotly contested affair from the first to last minute

Mathais Traulsen with Aaron Whelan Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Mathais Traulsen of Saint Eunans in action

Mathais Traulsen with Shane Maughan Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Just hanging

Mathais Traulsen etrieves the ball after it became lodged in the basket Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

In the U19C final, Colaiste Pobail Setanta defeated Lagan College Belfast, sparking scenes of unconfined joy at the final buzzer.

Colaiste Pobail Setanta players celebrate at the final buzzer Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Meanwhile, in the Girl’s U19A Final, it was an all Cork affair with Christ King coming out on top as they defeated St. Vincent’s 65-46.

Christ King brought plenty of support to the capital

Christ King Cork supporters Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

There was a lot at stake for Vincents’ coach Donnie Mullins

Donnie Mullins Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

And his counterpart Francis O’Sullivan

Francis O'Sullivan Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

It was all down to the players on the court, though

Emma Browne with Ciara Murray Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Edel Thorton goes for the jugular and scores

U19A Girls Final Edel Thorton of Saint Vincent's Cork scores

But it wasn’t enough as St Vincents held on

The Christ King Cork team celebrate at the final buzzer Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

It was just too much for some

Hannah McCarthy and Nadeena O'Connell celebrate seconds before the final buzzer Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

The Christ King Cork team celebrate at the final buzzer Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Hannah McCarthy, Ciara Murray and Ciara McCarthy lift the cup for Christ King Cork Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Unfortunately there had to be a loser

Saint Vincents Cork players dejected at the end of the game Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Nicole Meehan dejected Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

The action continues tomorrow when there are four more finals to be decided.