League final glory for Gortnor Abbey
REVENGE was sweet for Gortnor Abbey this afternoon as they overcame St. Colmcille's CS, Knocklyon, to win the All-Ireland Under 16 C league final 28-22.
In an exact repeat of the Subway Schools Under 16 C Girls Cup final back in January – which St Colmcille's won – today’s final certainly didn’t disappoint, with the game neck-and-neck from the midway point of the first quarter right through until the final buzzer.
Indeed, fans at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght were certainly treated to another thrilling final this afternoon. A stand-out display by St. Colmcilles’ Emma Mullins was the talk of the arena as the talented young teenager scored 20 of her side’s 22-point tally, while Caoimhe Walsh put in an MVP display for Gortnor Abbey to help drive them home to glory.
Gortnor Abbey got the brightest start with good scores from Niamh Maughan, Eilish Keane and Caoimhe Walsh to open up a 7-0 lead early on, but Emma Mullins soon found her stride and by the end of the first had scored all eight of her team’s points to see them trail by just three, 11-8.
The second quarter was another close and tight affair, with Keane, Regan and Walsh continuing to impress for Gortnor Abbey, but Mullins had a response for everything at the other end, linking in well with Hannah Byrne nicely to leave them behind by just two at the half, 17-15 – with Mullins again scoring all of Knocklyon’s points.
A nervy third quarter followed, with defences reigning supreme. Walsh and Emily Murray led the charge for Gortnor Abbey and they kept St. Colmcille's from scoring until past the midway point in the quarter when Mullins broke the deadlock followed by a well-taken score from Byrne. Gortnor Abbey still led the way going into the last quarter though, with the score at 26-20.
Again tough defence was the main talking point from the fourth quarter, with just one score each for the full period. Disaster struck for both teams as both Walsh and then Mullins were fouled out as they worked extremely hard on defence, but the job was already done for Gortnor Abbey as they held firm to the final buzzer to win 28-22.
Jesus & Mary, Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina: Emily Murray, Caoimhe Walsh, Louise Regan, Aishling Bonner, Aine Mitchell, Annie Gough, Niamh Maughan, Eilish Keane, Lily Hegarty, Grainne Carr, Eabha Gallagher, Siofragh Kelly.
St. Colmcille's CS, Knocklyon: Alannah Mongey, Rebecca Keane, Abby Steacy, Sarah O’Connell, Abbie Finn, Hannah Byrne, Ciara McCarthy Reid, Ciara Doyle, Grace Lawlor, Emma Mullins, Revo Ogodo.
MVP: Caoimhe Walsh (Jesus & Mary, Gortnor Abbey).