Mayo schoolboys bring their A game to win nerve-wracking All-Ireland semi-final

There was a nerve-wracking ending to the Under 19 A Schoolboys Cup semi-final between St. Muredach's College of Ballina and Dubln's Coláiste Eanna in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, this afternoon, writes John Melvin.

The game went to the wire but in the end the St. Muredach’s lads held their composure to win by five points (76-71).

Having won the league and cup double at B grade last year, the Ballina school are now in line to execute back-to-back doubles by winning the A league and cup titles.

Coach Barry Murphy was only too well aware that his team needed to lift their game, and their spirits, after losing to Gortnor Abbey in the North West Regional Under 19 final last week, and pick up they did with a superb team performance.

Played at the National Basketball Arena today (Wednesday), St. Muredach’s won all four quarters, taking a 12-point lead with them into the final quarter.

But that was soon whittled back to two points as the Ballina boys found themselves in foul trouble.

However, they dug deep, Brian O’Donoghue taking control of the game as ball-handler, the lead back to three points before O’Donoghue pulled a big basket from the bag to secure the five-point victory.

St. Muredach’s began well, taking the first quarter 22-16 and were up by 14 at half-time (46-32).

However, Coláiste Eanna made their move in the third quarter to come within four points, only for St. Muredach’s to respond again to lead by 12 (61-49) going into the last quarter.

It all happened in the last quarter as the Dublin school had it back to a single basket and St. Muredach’s in foul trouble.

However, Barry Murphy’s boys dug it out, winning by five in the end and holding their nerve when the pressure came on. This is a team who can bring home the A cup when they face Portlaoise in the final in January.