UCC Glanmire suffer shock Super League defeat at home to Waterford Wildcats

UCC Glanmire 75

Waterford Wildcats 79 

Waterford Wildcats secured the points in the Domino’s Women’s Super League with a hard-earned win over UCC Glanmire at the Mardyke Arena on Sunday.

Glanmire will look back on this game with regret as they had enough of chances over the four quarters to win but credit to Wildcats inspired by Sarah Hickey, who contributed an impressive 28 points they never panicked even in times when Glanmire had them on the ropes.

The visitors got off to a good start with new signing Tara Brown nailing a neat jumper on their opening possession.

Brown replaced jasmine Walker in the days before this game and in the early exchanges was posing the Glanmire defence problems at the post.

There is little doubt the Glanmire American pairing of Jewel Watkins and Viane Cumber are quality players and after six minutes of riveting basketball their side had a three point lead 15-12.

The closing minutes of the quarter were keenly contested but despite Glanmire leading 24-20 they will rue basic errors made over the period.

On the restart Glanmire continued to play controlled basket with a stunning Claire O’Sullivan floater giving them a seven- point lead in the 13th minute.

Suddenly Wildcats responded to the wake- up call and with Glanmire losing their shape in defence they surged into a three- point lead 38-35.

Glanmire needed to refocus and coach Mark Scannell wasn’t a happy camper when he called a time out with his side continuing to make silly errors.

The foul count in this period increased and with two minutes remaining to the interval the sides were tied at 43 points each.

Wildcats finished with a flourish as two late baskets ensured they went in at the break commanding a four- point lead 47-43.

Looking at Glanmire’s half time stats they had a 12/23 inside the paint (52%) but outside the arc all they could muster up was 4/15 a paltry 27%.

Another worry for coach Scannell was their turnover count of eight and to get a grip in this game they needed to erase the errors to regain control.

Watkins drained a stunning three pointer just 12 seconds into the restart, but Wildcats responded to regain a six- point lead following a neat Sarah Hickey move to the hoop.

Glanmire needed to get their act together and Watkins led the charge with a three- pointer followed with consecutive baskets from Amy Dooley.

Wildcats to be fair responded again and with two minutes remaining in the quarter Wildcats edged into a three- point lead.

Another Brown basket increased it to five and that’s the way it stayed entering the final quarter 65-60.

Coming down the stretch the game was on the edge up to the closing minutes but when Wildcats needed baskets, they came up trumps to secure a crucial win on the road.

Scorers for UCC Glanmire: J Watkins 22, C Cumber 20, C O’Sullivan 10, A Dooley 13.

Waterford Wildcats: S Hickey 28, T Brown 18, A Frescas 16, S Brikmane 11.

UCC Glanmire: A McKenna, J O’Shea, C O’Sullivan, A Murphy, M Furlong, J Watkins, M Loughrey, L Walsh, E Dunne, F McDonnell, A Dooley, V Comber.

Waterford Wildcats: I Daniels, K Hickey, O Dullaghan, H Rohan, S Hickey, A Brett, M Rassenberger, A Shallici, S Brikmane, A Frescas, M Stone, T Brown.

Referees: Jamie Dooley (Portlaoise), Paula Rodriguez (Limerick).