Maree (53 )
Brunell Cork (47 )
Maree ladies are preparing for their last home game of the season when they host Kilkenny in Calasanctius gym on January 31.
They go into the match after a deserving six-point win over Brunell Cork last weekend where the fastbreak lay-up from Caoimhe Clancy set the tone for the first half.
Colleen McInerney and Carol McCarthy added to the scoring tally, and combined with excellent defence Maree led 13 - 9 at the end of the first quarter.
Maree continued to dominate, and in upping the tempo defensively with Niamh O’Hagan and Nicola O’Connell dominating the boards, Maree extended the lead to 31-19.
Brunell started the second half with renewed intensity, and in front of a large noisy home crowd, started to claw back the Maree lead. Midway through this quarter Carol McCarthy left the floor having received a blow to the nose as Caoimhe Clancy took over the role of point guard. A defensive reshuffle saw Christina Brennan and Marion Murren enter the game to maintain Maree’s composure. With scores hard to come by, baskets from Aoife O’Malley, Colleen McInerney, Niamh O’Hagan, and Hannah Coen ensured Maree still led by 11.
Brunell continued their fight and only shots from Aoife O’Malley and a three-pointer from Carol McCarthy kept Maree four points ahead.
With a minute and a half remaining, a strong tussle for the ball between Colleen McInerney and Brunell’s Stephanie Carmody resulted in Carmody being disqualified. Maree’s resulting two free throws ensured they claimed a valuable league win.
Maree: Aoife O Mallley (4 ), Carol McCarthy (18 ), Niamh O Hagan (12 ), Nicola O Connell, Colleen McInerney (7 ), Hannah Coen (6 ), Caoimhe Clancy (6 ), Christina Brennan, Marion Murren.
