The U16 girl’s basketball team from the Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach suffered a heartbreaking five-point defeat in the dying moments of their semi-final against the Midlands Schools Basketball League in a thrilling match at the weekend.
The first quarter was dominated by the experienced Kildare team with top scorer Danielle Doyle reeling off scores, they were sharper around the net and while the Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach girls were getting to the basket time and time again the ball just stayed out leaving the Kildare side 9/2 ahead.
The second quarter saw the Carlow girls settle and they really came into the game, their defense was marshalled well by captain Máire Ní Shúilleabháin along with sister Muirinn. Deirdre Ní Chaomhánaigh pushed up continuously on both sides of the court and the Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach girls finished the first half 17/10 in front with Emma Ní Chaomhánaigh playing a blinder.
Choláiste Lorcáin’s Niamh Burke caused problems with her fast breaks and shot a couple of great points but credit to the Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach’s Fiona Murphy she stepped up with a superb two pointer and going into the final quarter they grew in confidence.
They contained the top scorer Danielle Doyle and with two minutes on the clock the Carlow girls were five points up. Basketball is played right to the buzzer and the experience of the Kildare girls showed with Sinead Deering and Leana Kelly getting the all important scores to bring them back from the jaws of defeat. By now the large contingent of supporters from the Gaelcholáiste were creating a huge racket led by their new cheer leading group. Muirinn Ní Shúilleabháin shot a great two pointer from the edge, but Niamh Burke stole the ball on an all important break to put three points between the teams and with seconds remaining Leana Kelly sunk two for Choláiste Lorcáin to win by five.
It was a thrilling match, with both teams playing with everything, the Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach team of Emma Ní Chaomhánaigh, Deirdre Ní Chaomhánaigh, Fiona Ní Mhurchú, Muirinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Máirín Ní Chonchubhair, and Fiona Ní Chaoimh played with their hearts and were shattered at losing in the dying seconds but right thought the league they were terrific and did themselves and their school proud.
Choláiste Lorcáin had experienced the same disappointment the previous day when their senior team lost their semi-final by a single point and were delighted with the win and they now go onto play Portarlington in the final.
Teams:
Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach:
Máire Áine Ní Shúilleabháin (15 ), Muirinn Ní Shúilleabháin (8 ), Fiona Ní Mhurchú (3 ), Deirdre Ní Chaomhánaigh, Emma Ní Chaomhánaigh, Máirín Ní Chonchubhair, Fiona Ní Chaoimh.
Choláiste Lorcáin:
Sinead Deering (4 ), Niamh Burke (6 ), Maeve Ward, Ashleigh Connolly, Danielle Doyle (13 ), Leana Kelly (6 ), Beth Kealy, Majella Hayden (2 ), Joanne Farrell.
