Fr Mathew's forced to forfeit after refs call off Super League game in second quarter
Referee Pelle Persson in discussion between Catalyst Fr Mathew's coach Keith Daly and Trinity Meteors coach Hillary Netts at the abandoned game on Saturday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Catalyst Fr Mathew's Women’s Super League game against Trinity Meteors was abandoned with 3.21 remaining in the second quarter as the floor was deemed too dangerous to play by referee Pelle Persson at the Fr Mathews Arena.
This venue has had problems in the past with condensation when the weather is bad. This will be a costly lesson for Mathew’s as they will now lose the points by a 20-0 score line.
It was heartbreaking for the coaching staff and the players from Mathew's as they were playing superb basketball and looked to be on the way to a great victory.
The game was originally stopped at the end of the first quarter. One more slip after that the referees have very little option but to abandon a match for the players' safety, which was the case here.
Fr Mathew's came into this game giving their new American player Makeda Clark her home debut having replaced the injured Shanon Brady. However, they got good news this week as Brady’s injury is not as serious as they thought and she could return in the coming weeks.
The home side raced into an 8-2 lead with baskets from American Kyra White and Lesley-Ann Wilkinson, however, a monstrous effort beyond the arc by Daniel Murphy-O’Riordan had them leading 13-4 midway through the opening period.
Mathew's were doing a great job defensively running Meteors off the three-point line, while on the other side of the floor, Grainne Dwyer was making her presence felt under the basket.
When While nailed a big three followed by a beautiful floater they led 25-8 to end the first quarter.
The game was stopped by the referees before the start of the second period for a 15-minute period, as there were issues with condensation that made the floor very slippery for the players.
Former Glanmire player Sarah Kenny reduced the deficit 25-11 for Meteors with a short jumper from the elbow, but buckets inside the plaint by Grainne Dywer and Amy Murphy had Mathew's leading 27-11 midway through the period.
The Dublin side then went on an eight-point run to trail 29-19 with baskets from their American players Emma Merriweather and Morgan Lenahan forcing Mathews coach Keith Daly into an instant time-out to steady the ship for his side.
After the time-out, White shot a monstrous three to bring her tally to 17 points and give her side a 32-19 lead.
However, when Lenahan drove to the basket to score, she slipped and the referee Pelle Persson abandoned the game with 3.21 remaining in the second period and the home side leading by 32-21.
Kyra White 17, Grainne Dwyer 6, Amy Murphy 5.
Morgan Lenahan 8, Emma Merriweather 5, Alexandra Mulligan 4.
Lesley-Ann Wilkinson, Daniel Murphy-O’Riordan, Amy Murphy, Abby Murphy, Grainne Dwyer, Arianna Price, Ciara McCarthy, Makeda Clark, Kyra White, Jessica O’Shea, Niamh Dwyer.
Morgan Lenahan, Catherine Connaire, Sarah Kenny, Lisa Blaney, Ciara Mulligan, Katie Walshe, Alexandra Mulligan, Grace Prenter, Emma Merriweather.
Pelle Persson (Cork), Stephen O’Shaughnessy (Tipperary).
App?
