Castlecomer Community School were crowned under 16C Girls All-Ireland Schools Cup champions following a 41-32 success over Gaelcholaiste Carlow on Wednesday of last week.
Their win was largely inspired by Ailish O’Neill, who signalled her school’s intent with the first basket of the day, but the Carlow school responded to leave 9-7 at the end of the first quarter. Gaelcholaiste’s Kate Ni Mhorain was doing great work in the early stages of the second quarter on the boards. With five minutes to go Gaelcholaiste’s Muireann Ni Shuilleabhainhi landed a big three to restore parity in the contest at 11-11. However Castlecomer’s Aislinn Delaney and Ailish O’Neill took control of the game and at the break Castlecomer lead by six, half time score 21 – 15. O’Neill scored the opening basket but Gaelcholaiste’s Michelle Ni Bhraonain was quick to respond with a basket of her own. Both teams were producing a very free flowing game and with Castlecomer’s O’Neill proving difficult to stop her team led 26 – 31 at the end of the third. Castlecomer maintained their pressure in the fourth with Nora Daly extending their lead. Gaelcholaiste were not going to give up easily; they kept chipping away and with three minutes to go they had reduced the deficit to just five points (37-32 ). Castlecomer produced some excellent baskets after this and in the end ran out winners on a score of 41 – 32.
