A great team performance got Team Tom McCarthy’s over the line when they travelled to the midlands at the weekend to play Portlaoise Panthers in the quarter final of the women’s division one league cup.
By: Liz Galwey PRO
Denise Dunlea opened the scoring with a three for the St. Mary’s side and several fast breaks from Mary Herlihy gave the Castleisland side the edge early in the game.
A score on the buzzer from Labhaoise Walmsley saw them lead by five points at the end of the first quarter.
Aoife’s Three Pointer
Aoife Nolan opened the second with a three but it was not long before Claire Melia came into form for Panthers. The sides traded baskets throughout the quarter and while Team Tom McCarthy’s had some turnovers and were in foul trouble they continued to dominate and led by 10 at half time.
Turnovers in the early part of the third cost St. Mary’s and Panthers reduced the gap to five before Maebh Barry hit the first score of the quarter mid way through.
Tom’s Six Points Clear
Portlaoise reduced the gap to three but Aoife Nolan responded by hitting seven consecutive points. By the end of the quarter the score board read 41 points to 47 in favour of Team Tom McCarthy’s.
The final quarter was eventful. Panthers were, as always, worthy opponents.
They kept the pressure on throughout but Team Tom McCarthy’s continued to defend well as they had done in the previous three quarters.
Labhaoise Hit Her Eighth
With just under three minutes to go Labhaoise Walmsley hit her eighth point of the game and Mary’s led by seven, she added a free throw shortly afterwards and Denise Dunlea added another but Panthers were not giving up and came back to within a point of their visitors with just 30 seconds left to play.
They received a technical foul which sent Mia Hopkins to the free-throw line and she made the shot.
Opportunity to Level
St. Mary’s turned the ball over and Panthers were fouled and went to the line with an opportunity to level.
They missed both and a fast break off the rebound set Denise Dunlea up for a lay-up which she made to take the win for the Kerry girls.
Final Score: Portlaoise Panthers 58 / Team Tom McCarthy’s St. Mary’s 62.
St. Mary’s: Mia Hopkins, 15; Aoife Nolan, 14; Lorraine Scanlon, 10; Labhaoise Walmsley, 9; Denise Dunlea, 8; Mary Herlihy, 4 and Meabh Barry, 2.
Follow Them Up to Carlow
Team Tom McCarthy’s will play Ulster University Elks in the league cup semi-final on Saturday next while Maree and Phoenix Rockets contest the second semi-final.
Both games will be held in Carlow IT. Team Tom McCarthy’s v Elks will tip off at 2pm.
You can contact The Maine Valley Post on…
Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com
Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467.
Please Note: A click on any of our adverts will reveal all you need to know about what our advertisers need to tell you.
Copyright Notice: The images and text which appear on The Maine Valley Post site remain the exclusive property of John Reidy, (unless stated otherwise) and are protected under International Copyright laws. Images or text may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of the author, John Reidy, in this instance. Use of any image as the basis for another photographic concept or illustration (digital, artist rendering or alike) is a violation of International Copyright laws. All images are copyrighted by John Reidy 2018.
