More cup final disappointment for Brunell as U18s fall to Meteors
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell's Ava Walshe is challenged by Freya Blennerhassett and Grace Prenter of Meteors BC. Picture: INPHO/Tom Maher
METEORS produced an awesome second half to defeat Guuranabraher Credit Union Brunell in a highly entertaining Women’s U18 National Cup final at the National Basketball Arena on Sunday.
In a game that was competitive from tip off Meteors found their best form in the closing minutes of the third quarter and stayed in control despite a late Brunell rally.
Brunell got the perfect start when Laura Hannigan nailed a monstrous three-pointer in the opening minute.
Meteors after missing a few easy tips eventually got up and running when their star player Grace Prenter made one of two free throws.
The Dublin side then executed consecutive threes and suddenly it was game on but Brunell responded with a similar shot from Rachael Bowdren that saw them lead 11-7 midway through the quarter.
Ava Walshe showed her class with her first basket outside the paint but Meteors shooting was excellent and two big shots outside the paint from Kira Lynch saw the Dublin side lead for the first time in the eighth minute, 19-16.
The Brunell coach Kieran O’Leary rightfully called a time out but the pinpoint Meteors shooting continued and after a superb opening quarter it was Dublin side that commanded a 25-21 lead.
Clodagh Downey got Brunell up and running with a deft move to the hoop and when Laura Hannigan followed up with a dagger outside the paint they led by the minimum.
Hannigan was on fire outside the arc and when she executed her third outside the arc it gave her side a six-point lead.
In the style of a brave side, Meteors responded and levelled the game with six minutes remaining to the interval.
Abbie Lyons was another Brunell player showing great intensity at both ends of the court and when she drove the hoop and scored a stunning basket her team led by the minimum with three minutes remaining to the interval.
The shooting in this half was incredible and a late Prenter basket edged the Dublin outfit into a 42-20 lead after a magnificent exhibition of basketball by these young and upcoming stars.
It was evident both sides were tentative on the restart as some unforced errors were made at both ends of the court before Jodi Geaney and Elaine Keane extended Meteors' lead to six points.
Suddenly Brunell were struggling to get baskets before Ava Walsh reduced the deficit to three points midway through the quarter.
Laura Hannigan came up with her fifth three-pointer in the 26th minute but Meteors continued to take their opportunities and led 52-48 with 3.21 remaining in this period.
Walshe did nail one free throw with two minutes remaining but the Dublin side were still in control despite the lead getting reduced to three points.
A brace of Rachael Bowdren free throws reduced the deficit to the minimum but three consecutive Meteors baskets surged them into a seven-point lead entering the crucial fourth quarter.
Brunell needed a good start but Helena Keane and Prenter increased Meteors' lead to 11 points before coach O’Leary decided a time-out was needed to steady the ship with 8.33 remaining.
Credit to Brunell they battled to the wire and reduced the deficit to five points with two minutes remaining but a stunning Kira Lynch three-pointer spoiled the party.
Both teams should take a bow on producing a wonderful sporting spectacle over four quarters.
H Keane 25, G Prenter 19, K Lynch 13.
A Walshe 19, L Hannigan 15, C Downey 10.
C Downey, A Lyons, L Hannigan, R Bowdren, K Collins, A Walshe, M Lynch, L O’Brien-Meehan, M Angozi.
A Jude, K Lynch, A Robertson, A O’Sullivan, G Prenter, F Blennerhassett, J Geaney, I Beddoe, H Gilligan, R McGrath, A Moran, E Johansen, G Henkel, H Keane.
L Aherne (Limerick), J Lavin (Dublin), J Malaysko (Dublin).
App?
