Great win for Gortnor Abbey in All-Ireland basketball final

Gortnor Abbey secured a fantastic victory over St. Munchin's College, Limerick, in the Under 19 B Boys Schools League final at the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, this afternoon.

Coached by former Ballina player and Basketball Ireland Hall of Fame inductee Liam McHale, the Crossmolina school had another McHale to the fore on the court – Liam's nephew Matthew, who scored 23 points to earn the MVP award.

After a cagey opening quarter Gortnor Abbey were just 11-8 in front, but the gap opened up in the second quarter and it was 34-21 by half-time.

Guiu Julian Guiard (17) and Conor Barrett (14) also played pivitol roles in Gortnor Abbey’s win, while for St. Munchin's their scoring was headed by Patryk Pejowicz (18), Reece Barry (8) and Liam Price (7).

In the end Gortnor Abbey proved too strong for St. Munchin's, winning convincingly on a 64-39 scoreline.

Elsewhere, St. Michael’s of Listowel claimed the Under 16 C Boys Schools League title, defeating Kishoge 60-44, and in the Under 16 B Schools League final there was joy for Belfast’s Rathmore Grammer School, who defeated Skibbereen 55-38.