Superb second half performance from Brunell U18s sees them beat Kilkenny and reach National Cup final
Brunell coach Kieran O'Leary going though tactics with his team during the U18 Womens National Cup Semi Final between Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell and Kilkenny Stars at the Parochial Hall, Cork. - Picture: David Creedon
Kilkenny Stars 55
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell 74
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell put in a masterclass second half performance to beat a very good Kilkenny Stars in the U18 National Cup semifinal at the GCU Parochial Arena Sunday afternoon.
They will now play Limerick Celtic’s in the final in Dublin in two weeks time.
After a pulsating opening two quarters where both sides played some superb basketball with Francesca Kyamageco and Jean Aherne having hot hands for Brunell to lead 36-35, but the Stars also had big performances from Caoimhe Timmons and Aimee O’Reilly.
The Cork team was simply awesome in the second half where they put on a defensive clinic and with Aherne shooting the lights out with five three pointers and Kyamageco and Lyons also very efficient on the scoring front they ran out worthy winners in what was the game of the weekend in the Hall.
Both sides traded baskets in the opening two minutes of the game, however, when Jean Aherne nailed a big effort beyond the arc the Nellies lead 8-6.
The Stars responded with a breakaway layup and a two monstrous three’s by Caoimhe Timmons ( her 12th point) to lead 16-12 midway through the quarter.
Brunell were struggling with the Stars big 3-2 defence, however, when Francesca Kyamageco was fouled outside the arc, she iced her three foul shots for her side to trail 20-15 at the end of the opening period.
Brunell made a dream start to the second period with a bucket inside the paint and a long range three by Kyamageco to level the game 20-20. Kilkenny responded with a pair of foul shots and a baseline jumper by Aimee O’Reilly to lead 29-25 midway through the quarter.
However, a monstrous long range three, a steal and a layup by Aherne gave the Nellies the lead at 36-35 lead at the half.
Brunell increased their lead 44-37 with an inside bucket by Kyamageco and two big steals with two superb finishes from Abbie Lyons and Aherne two minutes from the restart.
The Nellies defensive ball pressure was paying dividends as they forced the Stars into turnovers and when Kyamageco grabbed her 21st point and Lyons her 12th point they led 53-37 with two minutes remaining in the period.
Another big aspect of the period was the Stars two big scorers Timmons (4) and O’Reilly (3) were in foul trouble, however, take nothing away from the Nellies as they were magnificent to lead 55-41 entering the final quarter.
Both sides traded baskets at the start of the fourth quarter, however, the Brunell defence was superb with the Stars having to battle hard for every basket, but when McKenzie Lucy made a strong drive to the hoop and another three big three from Ahern the Nellies led 68-45 midway the period.
Coming down the stretch Brunell coach Kieran O’Leary was able to make use different rotations and they will joint their U20 side in the final in two weeks time.
Top scorers for Kilkenny: Caoimhe Timmons 20, Aimee O’Reilly 15, Lena Zydek 5.
Brunell: Francesca Kyamageco 23, Jean Aherne 21, Abbie Lyons12.
KILKENNY: Lucy Coomey, Emily Lauhoff, Sarah Burke, Amie Leigh, Kayla Wall, Jill Dempsey, Aoibheann Walsh, Juno Vanhengel, Aimee O’Reilly, Lena Zydek, Caoimhe Timmons, Niamh Mulhall.
GUC BRUNELL: Jean Aherne, Sophie O’Keeffe, Abbie Lyons, Micha Rinael-Honzales, Millie Murphy, Francesca Kyamageco, McKenzie Lucey, Sarah Sheehan, Ava O’Mahony, Abbie Power, Saoirse O’Driscoll, Saoirse Lyons.
Referees: Emer Buckley (Kerry), Kevin Robinson ( Dublin), Carolyn O’Mahony ( Kerry).
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