Basketball All-Ireland Schools' Cup finalsIt may have taken three attempts but St Conleth's, Ballsbridge finally got the better of Presentation College, Bray 45-35 in yesterday's All-Ireland Schools' under-16 B boys' final at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
It was a breathtaking display by the winners in the first two quarters and despite a gallant effort from Presentation, led by Emmet O'Toole in the second half, St Conleth's ran out winners by 10 points.
"I think early on we had all the shots and we didn't expect that. We had a nice lead and we were confident despite Bray having already beaten us twice this year," said Conleth's coach, Charles Larvis.
"But they made a serious comeback in the second half. Emmet (O'Toole) is on the Irish team and he certainly deserves his place, but in the end we came up with the big baskets.
"It was a great game and a well-played game that we thoroughly enjoyed," added Larvis.
St Conleth's were quickest into their stride as Liam Purcell, who was the MVP, and Peter Herron asserted their authority.
Both players top-scored with 15 points.
Jack Nolan's rebound score, and further baskets from Herron, gave them a commanding lead (28-4) going in at the interval.
To their credit Bray put up a brave fight and scores from O'Toole, Sean Rooney, Jeff McCann and a terrific three-pointer from Neil Randolph kept St Conleth's on their toes.
In the girls' under-19 B final Loreto, Swords had too many guns for Ard Scoil, Rathangan, running out 48-34 winners, thanks to an inspirational performance from Breda Orohoe.
It was a terrific end to the players' schools' career as she finally captured a cup medal that up until yesterday had somehow eluded her.
Swords had twice trailed to baskets from Sinead Melia and Sinead Conway but Orohoe made some telling contributions which swung the game for her side.
Having twice cancelled out Rathangan leads, Orohoe then went to the line to convert both her free throws. A three-pointer from Tessa Solan early in the third added to Rathangan's problems with Swords stretching their lead out to 14 points.
But Rathangan showed their character (especially Emma Merrin) to fire in the next three baskets including two from Melia to make it a nine-point lead again. However, Swords just had too much up front with Jenny Daly, the outstanding Solan and Orohoe all making baskets.
Fittingly, Solan landed the final basket to finish with 19 points and 24 rebounds which earned her the MVP award.
St Malachy's College Belfast captured their third All-Ireland National Schools' title with a narrow 61-58 victory over Ard Scoil Rís, Dublin in a highly-contested final in the under-19 B boys final.
A delighted Paul McRory of St Malachy's summed up his team's win: "We certainly didn't win the game in the last three minutes; we won it in the third and fourth quarter. We knew it was going to be tough but it was a big team performance and we're absolutely delighted." Travis Black of Ard Scoil Rís got the MVP award for his 33-point contribution.
St Joseph's, Charlestown overcame Rockwell College 42-31 in the girls under-19 C final having led from the outset. The champions opened up a six-point gap with two baskets from MVP Deirdre Doherty (who finished the game with a total of 11 points) either side of Karena Finn's superb three-pointer from out in the corner of the court.
Rockwell couldn't turn their equal share of the possession into points while the Saints extended their lead at the other end through fine scores from Finn.
The Tipperary school faced a mammoth task as they trailed their opponents by 34-20 going into the final phase of the game but early scores from Zoe O'Connor, Rosie Lynch and Mollie O'Donnell knocked five points off the Saints lead. However, the Mayo girls were not to be denied and they kept a comfortable lead for the remainder of the game to the delight of their travelling supporters.
