UCC Glanmire make National Cup semi final with a big win over Portlaoise

Career Decisions UCC Glanmire 81

Midlands Park Portlaoise 53

Career Decisions UCC Glanmire beat a very physical Midlands Park Portlaoise side in the quarter final of the Paudie O’Connor Women’s Super League National Cup at Neptune Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

When both these sides met in the Domino’s Women’s Super League in Portlaoise back in October, it was Glanmire came out on top 77-58 and what made that win so impressive was that they played without one of their American’s Viane Cumber.

After a slow start to the game by Glanmire, they upped their defensive pressure in the second quarter and had Claire O’Sullivan and American Viane Cumber in superb shooting form to lead by 16 points at the half.

In truth, Glanmire really didn’t have to come out of second gear in this game as they were by far the dominant side, however, they will face a much tougher task whoever they will meet in the semifinal of this competition.

Both sides exchanged baskets at the start of the opening period, however, a huge effort beyond the arc by Megan Dunne had Portlaoise leading 7-4. 

Glanmire responded with baskets by Claire O’Sullivan and a monstrous three from Viane Cumber to lead 11-10 after seven minutes of play. Annaliese Murphy added six points with a huge three, a strong drive to the basket and bonus to give Glanmire a 21-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The home side raced into a 28-17 lead with baskets by O’Sullivan and Cumber, however, a bucket and a foul shot by Jessica Fressle reduced the deficit 28-20 after three minutes of the second period. 

A short jumper from the baseline and a powerful drive down the lane gave O’Sullivan her 12th point of the game and a pull up effort by Jewel Watkins gave Glanmire a 42-26 at the half.

The home side started the third period with a monstrous effort beyond the arc by Watkins and inside bucket by Cumber to lead 49-28 two minutes from the restart. 

Aine McKenna pushed the home side’s lead out to 52-28, however, a long range three from Christiana Ojide-Boiko and a breakaway layup by Fressle reduced the deficit 52-33 midway through the period. 

However, Glanmire pressure defence picked up another couple of gears that forced the Midlands side into turnovers and when O’Sullivan and Watkins nailed consecutive baskets they held a 58-35 lead with three and a half minutes remaining in the quarter. 

Glanmire’s coach Mark Scannell had the luxury of resting his both American players in this period and still went into the final period leading 65-41.

With the game over as a contest the home side were able to use different combinations on both sides of the floor in the final period and will play in the semi final of the competition in January in Neptune Stadium.

Top scorers for Glanmire: Viane Cumber 24, Claire O’Sullivan 14, Jewel Watkins 14.

Portlaoise: Jessica Fressle 12, Alyssa Velles 11, Ciara Byrne 7.

CAREER DECISIONS UCC GLANMIRE: Aine McKenna, Jessica O’Shea, Claire O’Sullivan, Annaliese Murphy, Mia Furlong, Jewel Watkins, Miriam Loughrey, Lucy Walsh, Emer Dunne, Faye McDonnell, Amy Dooley, Viane Cumber.

MIDLANDS PARK PORTLAOISE: Holli Dunne, Shauna Dooley, Ciara Byrne, Megan Dunne, Lynn Tunnah, Jasmine Burke, Amy Byrne, Elaine Kennington, Christiana Ojide-Boiko, Jessica Fressle, Sarah Flemming, Alyssa Velles.

Referees: Leanne Ahern ( Limerick), Steven O’Shaughnessy ( Tipperary).