UCC Glanmire and Brunell starting to show true form with two very good away victories

UCC Glanmire made it back-to-back wins in the Domino’s Women’s Super League with a comfortable 77-58 away win over Portlaoise Panthers.

The midlanders can be difficult opposition on their home court and the Cork side were quickest from the blocks with baskets from Claire O’Sullivan and Jewel Watkins.

Portaloise have a decent American duo in Alyssa Velles and Jessica Fressle and Glanmire did well to lock them down in the opening quarter to take a 20-14 lead.

On the restart the scoring remained low but a late basket from Miriam Loughrey ensured the Cork side went in at the break with a 33-22 lead.

The Glanmire coach Mark Scannell got his troops together and they showed their class with a stunning third quarter that saw them increased their lead to 21 points entering the final quarter.

No doubt coach Scannell will be happy his side showed great character with his second American Viane Cumber missing the game through injury.

On the plus side Claire O’Sullivan finished with 18 points and with captain Aine McKenna also stepping up to the plate they saw out this game in style.

The performance of the weekend went to Catalyst Fr Mathew’s who travelled to Dublin to take on leaders Killester and after a courageous display eventually lost out 83-76.

The Cork side played with intensity from tip off and with their American duo of Laila Blair and Lexie Givens having a season best they deservedly led 19-14 entering the second quarter.

Killester looked shocked and the second quarter was another battle royal and with Mathew’s matching their opponents they continued to trade baskets in this period.

Credit to veteran Grainne Dwyer she continues to show her class and it was her battling qualities that helped her team command a four point lead in the final minute to the interval.

Killester did secure the final basket of the half but Mathew’s deservedly went in at the break commanding a 37-35 lead.

Sadly, for Mathew’s Killester produced their best basketball in the third quarter as the American duo of Samantha Haiby and Audrey Roden found their shooting range.

Mathew’s continued to play solid defence but entering the fourth quarter they trailed by 11 points 62-51.

Coming down the stretch Mathew’s pressed their opponents and although reducing the deficit to seven points that’s as good as it got for them.

On the positive side for the Mathew’s coach Jamie Barry this will hopefully give them confidence for their trip to play Cavan Eagles next weekend.

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell had a very impressive win on the road against Waterford Wildcats 82-76.

Brunell went into the game without their influential captain Edel Thornton but showed enough to suggest they are capable to competing for silverware this season.

The home loss to Killester was a blow but they showed true grit in the opening quarter to command a 14-9 lead entering the second quarter.

Nor surprisingly the scoring averages increased in the second quarter with Irish Senior International Sarah Hickey leading the Wildcats charge they were soon back on parity.

In the closing minutes to the interval both sides went for the jugular but Brunell held their nerve to command a 40-37 interval lead.

On the restart the intensity and solid defence of both sides continued and with 32 points shared it was all to play for entering the final quarter with Brunell having a three- point lead.

Coming down the stretch the Brunell Americans Maddie Cluse (32) and Brailyn Joseph (15) showed their class as the Cork team secured the all-important win in style.