CLONASLEE V.S. 58 POBALSCOIL INBHEAR SCEINE 27
CLONASLEE Vocational School secured the U/19C National Cup title after a well deserved 58-27 victory over Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine Kenmare.
A high tempo opening first quarter saw two evenly matched sides trade baskets. Megan Dunne looked dangerous for Clonaslee, while Claire O’Sullivan and Annie Cooper controlled the flow of play for Kenmare.
There was little to separate the sides in height and physicality, a fact reflected on the scoreboard at the end of the first quarter.
10-10.
Dunne continued to be the main threat for Clonaslee at the beginning of the second quarter but still there was very little to separate the two sides.
It was a rather frantic affair with both defences ramping up the intensity.
However, Clonalsee’s Niamh O’Donovan began to impose her presence and went to the line.
She was flawless, giving her side a three point lead.
The Laois school were starting to get the upper hand, with Kenmare’s scoring severely restricted throughout the quarter.
O’Donovan was becoming a real thorn in the side of the Kenmare defence, and soon she stretched her side’s lead to eight.
Kenmare were in danger of losing their foothold completely in the game and had it all to do in the second half as Clonaslee went in with a 24-15 advantage.
It was now Clonaslee’s game to lose, and it appeared that Kenmare were struggling to find an answer to Megan Dunne and indeed O’Donovan.
Kenmare remained dogged in their determination to stay in the game but with the final quarter approaching it appeared Clonaslee were out of sight with a commanding lead of 38-21.
The fourth quarter was something of a foregone conclusion, with Clonaslee’s support taking the opportunity to enjoy what was certain to be a National Cup victory.
The final scoreline of 58-27 was an accurate reflection of the eventual gap between the two sides.
The Laois school were dominant throughout and had ‘MVP’ Niamh O’Donovan to thank for a truly magnificent display.
She contributed a massive 34 points in the win.