Brunell U20 basketballers take control in second half to capture National Cup

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell 59 Templeogue 46 

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell produced an awesome second-half display to win the Ken Clarke Women’s U20 National Cup.

The Cork side's doggedness and tenacity proved too much for their Dublin opponents at the National Basketball Arena on Sunday.

Lauren Bradshaw opened the Templeogue scoring only for Ava Walsh to level proceedings. Templeogue were getting a number of clear looks but the impressive Walshe tied the game at 8-8 midway through the quarter.

Templeogue finished the quarter stronger and consecutive baskets ensured put them 15-14 up.

On the restart, Walsh and Abbie Lyons produced consecutive baskets and suddenly Brunell had a four-point lead.

Grace Miley's outside shooting was causing problems and when she drained a three-pointer, it was 22 points each.

Despite pressing the ball, Brunell’s careless defending was affecting their dominance. A second three from Keeva Byrne put the Dubliners five points to the good.

Jean Aherne did find her range outside the paint that helped reduce the deficit but once again Templeoge responded in style to command a five-point interval lead, 32-27.

There is little doubt this was a poor return for the Cork side as they shot 9/26 inside the paint (35%) and a dismal three of 18 outside shots (17%).

Brunell restarted with four consecutive points and their intensity in defence swung the advantage. Midway through the quarter, they were 36-32 in front.

Templeogue stayed with the pace but entering the fourth quarter, the Nellies had a six-point cushion.

Consecutive Templeogue baskets cut the gap to two points but Brunell responded, inspired by some gritty work defensive work from Abbie Lyons, who was playing her second game in less than 24 hours after Saturday's narrow U18 loss to Limerick.

Coming down the stretch, Brunell extended the lead and had done enough to fully merit the title. Lyons picked up the MVP award with Walsh, 16 points, and Francesca Kyamagero, 15, leading the scoring.

Top scorers for Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell: A Walshe 16, F Kyamagbro 15, A Lyons 13.

Templeogue: G Miley 12, E Booth 8.

BRUNELL: J Aherne, C Downey, S O’Keeffe, A Lyons, R Bowdren, L Hannigan, F Kyamagbro, M Lucey, A Walsh, M Lynch, L Hughes, B Ugwah.

TEMPLEOGUE: V Tinibu, M Cromer, L Waters, S Gallagher, S Garvey, G Miley, L Bradshaw, K Behan, S Deasy, K Byrne, E Booth, M Dimitroa.

Referees: E Perry (Dublin), A Pauliukenas (Dublin), S O’Shaughnessy (Tipperary).

MVP: Abbie Lyons (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell).