“This is where we want to be and this is the team we want to be” - Conroy
Lynn Tunnah gave a Player of the Game display for Portlaoise Panthers in their win over Brunell in the opening round of the Women's Super League in St Mary's Hall Photo: Paul Dargan
KEITH Conroy applauded the attitude and performance of his Midland Park Portlaoise Panthers players after seeing them dish out a stunning 90-71 defeat to Paudie O’Connor National Cup holders, Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell in their Women’s Super League opener in St. Mary’s Hall on Sunday.
After getting their nose in front by the close of the first quarter, the home side, who barely avoided bottom spot in last season’s WSL campaign, took off in the second period to race 18 points clear by the half-time recess.
And, while Brunell did manage to halve that deficit by the closing four minutes of play, Portlaoise demonstrated exceptional composure to steady the ship with timely three-pointers from their top two scorers, Alyssa Velles and Lynn Tunnah that saw them run out comfortable winners.
“It was an amazing performance,” Conroy told the Laois Nationalist. “The girls were just unbelievable from start to finish.
“We set the tone early, and to score 90 points against a Brunell team is just phenomenal.
“We’ve set the marker. This is where we want to be and this is the team we want to be. We want to be fast up and down the floor, with great defence.
“We controlled the game for nearly all of it. They got it back to nine in the fourth quarter, but we were always in control.” Conroy has constantly stressed the importance of his players remaining in contention right the way through their games, and they certainly went out with that mind-set, working their way back from four down almost three minutes into proceedings to edge a point in front (20-19) heading into the second quarter.
Co-captain Velles, who carded a game-high 28 points, chalked up six of those in that opening period while the newly-acquired Tunnah drained a big three to help keep the home side in the fight.
And they continued to build on that narrowest of leads in the second quarter, moving seven points clear after American, Hailey Jordan drained two free throws and a further two buckets from the floor.
Velles followed that up with a big effort from beyond the arc and more long-range scores continued to rain in from Tunnah and Shannon Quigley, helping Portlaoise extend their lead to 18 points (49-31) by the half-time recess.
Brunell, who were without the services of Ireland senior international captain, Edel Thornton needed to find some answers in the second half and, while Trinity Hudson and Jordan Vasquez combined for 15 points in the third quarter, they were only able to close the gap by four heading into the final period.
Amy Dooley was colossal under the boards for the hosts, soaking up 19 rebounds with Tunnah and Velles combining for the same amount.
What’s more, Brunell’s bid to generate sufficient momentum was hamstrung by Portlaoise’s abilty to strike from anywhere on the court.
Indeed, almost half their tally came from beyond the arc as they drained no less that 13 three-pointers, six of those coming from Velles.
The combined 40-point haul for Hudson and Vasquez did preserve Brunell’s hopes of a recovery and they did manage to get it back to nine just over halfway through to the final quarter.
But Panthers were never going to let this slip and served up enough down the stretch to remain well clear of their Cork rivals.
It was a massive result for Conroy’s team and one that will leave them in buoyant mood ahead of this Saturday’s arrival to St. Mary’s of FloMAX Liffey Celtics - one of the big contenders for the Women’s Super League crown.
“We have a massive challenge next week,” warned Conroy. “Liffey Celtics are probably the strongest team in the league this year. They had a massive win against Killarney on Saturday, but the girls are going to be up for the challenge.
“We’ll have a good week of training and we’ll be ready. There’ll be no excuses. Come Saturday night at 7 o’clock when that ball goes up, Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers will be ready” he insisted PORTLAOISE PANTHERS: Hailey Jordan, Ciara Byrne, Megan Dunne, Lynn Tunnah, Jasmine Burke, Caoimhe Brophy, Sarah Fleming, Amy Dooley, Alyssa Velles, Shannon Quigley.
Top Scorers: Alyssa Velles (28), Lynn Tunnah (22), Hailey Jordan (12), Amy Dooley (9), Ciara Byrne (8).
BRUNELL: Kelly Sexton, Ava Walshe, Lauryn Homan, Danielle O’Leary, Trinity Hudson, Abbie Lyons, Jordan Vasquez, Clodagh Downey.
Top Scorers: Trinity Hudson (22), Jordan Vasquez (18), Kelly Sexton (7), Ava Walshe (7), Danielle O’Leary (7).
