After the perfect start to their National League division one campaign, Galway’s new ladies’ baskeball team, Foireann na Gaillimhe, head to Leixlip to face Liffey Celtics on Sunday (4pm ).
Last weekend’s first competitive game for the new Galway side produced a rewarding victory over St Mary's Castleisland. Coming from behind, they eventually won by 52-46 and this victory will have given Foreann na Gaillimhe greater confidence as they head into their next challenge.
After a solid start to Saturday’s opener in the NUIG Kingfisher Gym, Foreann na Gaillimhe suffered a poor third quarter which almost proved costly. However a strong last quarter saw them outscore Castleisland 21-6 to record a famous first victory.
The two teams matched each other score for score in the first quarter, with Foireann na Gaillimhe opening their scoring with a free-throw from Orla Dempsey. Ciara Newell added a basket and a free-throw before St Mary's fought back and took the lead with a three-pointer from Maeve Herlihy. With less than a minute left in the quarter Caoimhe Clancy hit a big three-pointer from the corner for Foireann na Gaillimhe to level the match 13-13 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter did not go according to plan for the Galway side, with St Mary's beginning to get to grips with the match. Despite four points in the quarter from Hannah Coen, it was Castleisland that won the quarter with six unanswered points from Reidin O'Loughlin leading up to half time.
With Foireann na Gaillimhe trailing 22-28 at half time, things went from bad to worse in the third quarter. Within three and a half minutes, St Mary's took an 11-point lead. However, Ciara Newell went on to score seven points in the quarter, including one three-pointer, to leave nine points between the teams going into the last quarter.
It was in the last quarter that Foireann na Gaillimhe excelled. Orla Dempsey and Hannah Coen started to dominate inside, combining for 10 points, while Caoimhe Clancy, Ciara Newell, Meabh Malone and Roisin Nihill excelled running the floor excellently.
