Glanmire squeeze past Brunell after cracking Women's Super League quarter-final
MY BALL: Brunell's Kyaja Williams battling UCC Glanmire's Emer Dunne at the Mardyke Arena on Saturday evening. Picture@ Noel Sweeney
Career Decisions UCC Glanmire edged out Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell in a highly-charged Domino’s Women’s Super League quarter-final at the Mardyke Arena.
Glanmire can thank the 26-point contribution from American Jewel Watkins but Annalise Murphy ran her close for MVP with a crucial 17-point tally that included five three-pointers.
It only took Edel Thornton 13 seconds to execute the opening basket for Brunell following a terrific assist from Ava Walshe.
Glanmire looked edgy in the opening exchanges but a stunning three from Annaliese Murphy tied the game in the third minute.
Both teams missed easy tips and turned over the ball in the opening five minutes with the home side leading 10-6 following a Jewel Watkins jumper.
The remainder of the quarter was scrappy with both sides struggling to put the ball in the basket but a late Brunell rally ensured they led by the minimum 13-12 entering the second quarter.
Mia Furlong went outside the arc in the opening possession to nail a monstrous shot for Glanmire and when Faye McDonnell followed up with a banked shot, they surged into a four -point lead.
Brunell’s intensity in defence was forcing Glanmire into unforced errors but a superb Claire O’Sullivan basket and bonus edged them into a 22-19 lead in the 14th minute.
Brunell were having a poor evening in the scoring stakes with some of their shooting attempts bordering on the ridiculous and Glanmire got a rally that surged them into a 13- point lead.
Abbie Lyons came off the bench for Brunel and the Irish U18 International did well nailing a basket coupled with a three pointer.
In the closing minutes to the break Glanmire looked in control and went in at the break commanding a 42-31 lead.
Brunel started with a Kyaja Williams basket, but Watkins responded with an immediate basket for the home side.
Glanmire dropped their guard and a superb Thornton drive to the hoop reduced the deficit to four points 47-43 in the 24th minute.
It was evident Glanmire were relying far too much on their professionals to score but with three minutes remaining Murphy knocked down an outrageous three pointer that gave her side a seven point lead.
Consecutive Brunell baskets in the closing two minutes and suddenly it was a three- point game 56-53 entering the crucial fourth quarter.
Ava Walshe tied the game in the opening Brunell possession, but Murphy replied with her fourth outside the arc.
Watkins picked up her fourth foul in the 33rd minute but their second American Viane Cumber stepped up the plate with consecutive three pointers.
Ava Walshe nailed consecutive baskets for Brunell and suddenly the northside club were back in the mix.
Coming down the stretch Glanmire held firm when Brunell threatened to snatch it at the death as they now await the winners of Utility Trust St Paul’s and Liffey Celtics in the last four.
J Watkins 26, A Murphy 17, V Cumber 16, C O’Sullivan 8.
A Walshe 17, B Joseph 14, K Williams 13, E Thornton 12, F Kyamagero 12.
A McKenna, J O’Shea, C O’Sullivan, A Murphy, M Furlong, J Watkins, M Loughrey, L Walsh, E Dunne, F McDonnell.
K Sexton, L Hannigan, A Walshe, M O’Leary, I McSweeney, E Thornton, F Kyamagero, K Walshe, A Lyons, B Joseph, K Williams, R Bowdren.
Leanne Aherne (Limerick), Emer Buckley (Kerry).
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