Derby defeat to Brunell sees Fr Mathew's relegated after 16th Super League loss
Lesley Ann Wilkinson defends for Catalyst Fr Mathew's against Brailyn Joseph, Gurrranabraher Credit Union Brunell. Picture: Larry Cummins
Catalyst Fr Mathew’s derby defeat to Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell condemned them to relegation from the Domino's Women’s Super League game at Fr Mathew’s Arena on Saturday evening.
Mathew's have lost all 16 matches so far and with just two games to go can't overtake ninth-placed Portlaoise Panthers.
Brunell led 52-41 at the half with big performances from American Brailyn Joseph, who had 22 points in that period, and Katie Walshe with 15. Laila Blair was keeping in contention with a tally of 21.
Without setting the world alight, Brunell just had too much firepower overall and their coach Liam Culloty will be happy with the performance from his young team.
Brunell raced into a 9-2 lead with baskets from Joseph and Walshe. Joseph proved to have a hot hand when she nailed an effort beyond the arc and when she made two foul shots, she brought total to 13 points for her side to lead 16-6 midway through the opening period.
Blair reduced the deficit, 21-15, with two powerful drives to the hoop but Joseph responded and a big three by Katie Walshe gave the Nellies a 29-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Blair gave Mathew’s the perfect start to the second quarter with a baseline three but they were all at sea defensively. When Isabelle McSweeney nailed a short jumper followed by a steal and lay-up by young Abbie Lyons to make it 36-20. Mathew’s were too reliant on their two Americans Blair and Stacie Jones, who scored 26 out of their 32 points.
When Walshe nailed her fourth effort beyond the arc, Brunell led 48-32 with four minutes remaining in the period.
Edel Thornton made her presence felt at the start of the third period with five quick points to extend Brunell’s lead, 57-41. However, consecutive baskets by Grainne Dywer and a pair of foul shots by Blair made it 61-52.
Brunell responded with a strong move to the bucket and a pair of foul shots by Ava Walshe to lead 69-56 entering the final period. Both sides traded baskets and though Mathew’s were battling hard, they still trailed 71-61 midway through the fourth.
A basket and a bonus by Jones and a huge three by Holly O’Brien made it a four-point game, 73-69, with two and a half minutes remaining. However, a pair from the line from Thornton and another three from Katie Walshe settled Brunell and they won by 14 in the end.
Brunell only had one American player here and Irish international Lauryn Homan recently had knee surgery after an ACL injury in December.
Laila Blair 30, Stacie Jones 18, Grainne Dywer 8.
Brailyn Jarrell 32, Katie Walshe 18, Edel Thornton 14.
Daniel Murphy-O’Riordan, Lesley-Ann Wilkinson, Amy Murphy, Abby Murphy, Grainne Dywer, Laila Blair, Holly O’Brien, Saidbh Fitzgerald, Stacie Jones.
Kelly Sexton, Edel Thornton, Brailyn Joseph, Ava Walshe, Rachel Bowden, Isabelle McSweeney, Clodagh Downey, Laura Hannigan, Abbie Lyons, Megan O’Leary, Katie Walshe, Bolu Ugwah.
Kevin Robinson ( Dublin), Gediminas Simkus ( Portlaoise).
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