Brunell and Glanmire record two big wins on Women's Super League road

It was a good weekend for two of the Cork sides on the road in the Women’s Super League with crucial wins for both The Address UCC Glanmire and Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell.

It was a difficult task for The Address UCC Glanmire when they travelled to play Killester but after a titanic battle, they ran out seven-point winners.

Over the years Glanmire have proven to be one of the superpowers of women's basketball in Ireland and the list of endless talented players that have gone through the club is amazing.

In this clash, they got off to a good start despite Killester’s Michelle Clarke nailing a monstrous three-pointer in their opening possession. Aine McKenna was on hand to drain a three when her team needed inspiration and after five minutes Glanmire managed to command a six-point lead.

To be fair, the Cork side were very much up for battle and it was no surprise they commanded a 23-15 lead entering the second quarter.

There was little change in the opening five minutes with Glanmire still having a nine-point cushion with the scoreline not changing to the interval.

In another solid quarter, Glanmire surged into a 15-point lead midway through the third quarter.

Although Killester showed true resilience in the closing minutes Glanmire were still in control with an 11-point cushion entering the final quarter.

Coming down the stretch Glanmire had to show all their experience and although Killester put in a mighty shift they couldn’t deny the Cork side their well-deserved win.

It has been a frustrating season for the Glenmore chief Mark Scannell but that could be all about to change with his latest American recruit Trinity Oliver.

RENEWED ENERGY

Oliver made her debut in this game and finished with a game-high 23 points that will give her teammates renewed energy with the play-offs looming.

Last week American Callie Cavanaugh indicated she needed to return home for personal reasons but amazingly on her release decided to sign for Killarney outfit St Paul’s for their weekend clash against Portlaoise Panthers.

To be fair, Cavanaugh looked a decent player in the early stages of this campaign but in recent months underachieved and coach Scannell may regret not making a change sooner.

Another plus for Glanmire has been the return of Claire O’Sullivan whose experience and skills will make them a side to fear in the play-offs.

The second Cork team on the road were Gurranbraher Credit Union Brunell when they faced a tricky test at Trinity Meteors but they also rose to the occasion to gain a hard-earned 84-78 win.

This was another close encounter with Meteors having the best of the exchanges in the opening quarter when commanding a 22-19 lead.

Credit to Brunell they showed class in the second quarter and inspired by their inspirational captain Edel Thornton they surged into a six-point interval lead 47-41.

On the restart, Trinity battled like Trojans and Brunell were forced to increase the tempo as their lead was reduced to four points entering the fourth quarter.

Coming down the stretch the game remained tense but credit to Brunell’s American Deaja Richardson as her 31-point contribution proved crucial to her side getting over the line.

Brunell are another tough side to contend with on their best day but their second American Trinity Hudson hasn’t been putting up the numbers for them and that may cost them in their bid for Super League glory.

Fr Mathew’s found the going rather tough when they were demolished on their home court by Liffey Celtics who mastered the game from the second quarter to run out comfortable 24-point winners.