Team Garvey’s suffered a loss on the road at the weekend when they went down to a strong Swords Thunder side in the Men’s Division 1 League. However the final score of 90 to 76 in no way reflects the intensity and closeness of the game.
Garvey’s won two of the four quarters but a good start from their opponents was damaging. Thunder started strong and defended well giving Garvey’s no time to settle or get shot opportunities and it was this quarter that the St. Mary’s boys found themselves trying to make up for the remainder of the game. Despite a big opening for John Galvin, Garvey’s trailed by 20 points at the end of the first period.
Garvey’s turned the tables on their opponents in the second period winning the quarter by eight points through a spread of scores across seven players. An opening three from Declan Wall set the boys back on track. Garvey’s had reduced the gap to just 12 points at the half time interval.
The third quarter was closely contested with very little between the sides. It was Garvey’s Seamus Brosnan who opened the scoring with a three and Wall was quick to add another. There were a number of unnecessary calls made by officials throughout the game but particularly in the third quarter and this slowed down play considerably. Despite numerous stoppages and delays Declan Culhane, Donal McCarthy, Martin Flavin and Daragh Jones all added scores for Garvey’s but Alex Zurn who was Thunders top scorer on the night was in fine form and hit 14 personal points in this period to see Thunder slowly creep ahead and hold a 16 point lead as the sides entered the final 10 minutes of a game which took one hour and 55 minutes to play.
Team Garvey’s had a tremendous start to the final quarter. Dan Griffin and John Galvin hit basket after basket and Garvey’s defence gave Thunder no chance of replying in the early stages. At this stage just five points separated the sides. Thunder took a tactical time out and when the game recommenced they took control once again. Garvey’s made yet another comeback and once again just five point lay between the sides but in the dying stages the stronger and more physical Swords Thunder pushed ahead to take a 14 point win.
Final Score: Swords Thunder 90 Team Garvey’s 76
Team Garvey’s: John Galvin 22, Dan Griffin 14, Declan Wall 13, Seamus Brosnan, Donal McCarthy and Martin Flavin 6 each, Declan Culhane 5, Daragh Jones 4.
Team Garvey’s next game will be at home on February 1st when they meet top of the table side Maree. Tip off will be at 7.30pm.
