Double heartbreak for Scoil Chríost Rí basketballers
Scoil Chríost Rí senior basketball team
THERE was double heartbreak for Scoil Chríost Rí basketballers at the Midlands/South-East Regional Finals in St Mary’s Hall recently. SCR came within three points of the double but ended up losing the U/16A final by one point and Senior A by two points, both to arch rivals Pres Kilkenny.
However, both schools served up two fantastic games and SCR still qualify for the All-Ireland play-offs in January as Regional runners-up.
The U/16 A team had lost the All-Ireland Cup quarter-final to Pres Kilkenny by one point recently in the Neptune Stadium and things weren’t looking good when Kilkenny surged out of the blocks to lead after the first quarter 13-5. SCR played a brilliant second quarter to lead at the half 25-20.
When they consolidated in the third quarter and lead by 10 points, victory seemed within their grasp. However, Kilkenny, who won the All-Ireland U/15 Cup last year, stormed back into the game with a surge of scores including two three pointers to level.
SCR again took the lead with two points from the line into the last minute, but with 20 seconds on the clock, Kilkenny nailed the winning three pointer.
SCR senior lost to Pres Kilkenny by 15 points in an earlier group game, but they produced their best display of the year to come within a basket of victory in this final. The game was played with huge intensity and very high quality with both teams going basket to basket from the off.
It was 15 points each after the first quarter and SCR led by two at the half and by one point after the third quarter.
In a nail biting finish it was again a three pointer coming down the wire that nudged Kilkenny ahead 58-56.
Both schools should be in the shake up for All-Ireland titles at both these age groups after Christmas and cannot meet each other before a final.
SCR SENIOR A TEAM: Chloe Byrne, Cara Coleman, Grainne Coleman, Kara Powders, Mia Delaney, Ella Beere, Ciara Keenan, Aoibhin Phelan, Tara Delaney, Grainne Buggy, Lily O’Meara, Sarah CorRí gan, Ellen Bergin, Kate Scully, Emma Scully SCR U16 A TEAM: Grainne Coleman, Kara Powders, Mia Delaney, Cara Phelan, AfRí c Hennessy, Rhea Flanagan, Holly Scully, Beth Donoghue, Kate Dowling, Doireann Delaney, Sophie Burnell, Ceola Hayes, Isabella Hickey, Sarah Donoghue, Lucy Mulhall
