Moycullen Basketball's u-16 girls are the new All-Ireland champions, two years after winning the u-14 crown.
On Sunday in Portlaoise the girls produced outstanding performances in their four games in what was considered a group of death, including both Dublin and Cork champions.
Victories over Liffey Celtics by 11 points and Fr Mathews by six ensured they topped their group to qualify for the semi-final against Ulster Elks from Belfast, which they won by 12 after a decisive third quarter. Up against Waterford Wildcats in the final, Moycullen took an early lead and, coupled with excellent defence, they took a nine-point lead at half time. They did not let up and exended the gap to 14 points before deservedly finishing as champions.
Moycullen u-16s: Catherine Connaire, Chloe Conroy, Aisling Corcoran, Laura Corcoran, Romy Cunningham, Ailbhe Davoren, Molly Finn, Jean Hynes, Aine Mc Donagh, Megan O’Donnell, Kate O’Brien, Sorcha Whyte. Coach Paul O’Brien, team manager: Julie O’Brien.
Silver for Moycullen boys
Moycullen’s u-14 boys took the division one silver medal at the All Ireland Club Championships in the Oblate Hall, Dublin, at the weekend.
Having defeated East Cavan Eagles by 33-28, Kilkenny champions Old Leighlin by 79 points to 32, they then overcome Dublin Champions Templeogue in the most exciting and tense match of the tournament by 30 to 29 in double overtime.
In Sunday afternoon's final they faced formidable Cork champions Neptune, who raced into a 10-0 lead. Moycullen did well to narrow the gap 12 to 7 at the end of the first quarter, but Neptune pulled away in the third and final quarters to claim the title by 68 - 34.
