Team Garvey’s St. Mary’s Thrill Supporters with Last Gasp Winner

The Team Garvey’s St. Mary’s squad, coaches and sponsors before Saturday night’s overtime win over DCU Mercy at Castleisland Community Centre. Front from left: Paris McCarthy, Rheanne O’Shea, Deirdre Geaney, Líle Garvey, sponsos and Niamh Ní Chonchuir. Backfrom left: Liam Culloty coach, Meabh Barry, Denise Dunlea, Rachel Ryan, Lorraine Scanlon, Emma Sherwood, Siofra O’Shea, Labhaoise Walmsley, Mike Culloty, assistant coach and sponsor Jim Garvey.

Team Garvey’s St. Mary’s took the win over cup runners-up, DCU Mercy, in overtime in the Missquote.ie Superleague game in Castleisland at the weekend.

The Castleisland based team is the only one in the league to play without an American in its ranks. This and the weekend win are seen as a huge achievement for the squad.

By Liz Galwey, PRO

Home venue was an advantage as the atmosphere was electric and the crowd was hugely supportive.

It was DCU’s Rachel Huijsdens who registered the first score of the game but Team Garvey’s Deirdre Geaney responded and team mate Emma Sherwood added another to see the home side take the lead.

Lead Alternated Throughout

This lead was alternated several times over the course of the game. Denise Dunlea hit the first three of the game and a brilliant reverse lay-up from Paris McCarthy, which was assisted by Emma Sherwood, pushed the home-side further ahead. McCarthy added a three to see St. Mary’s lead by five.

Lorraine Scanlon and Deirdre Geaney were winning a lot of ball under the boards for the home side and it was Team Garvey’s who took the first quarter 20 points to 15.

Mercy’s Strong Opening

DCU Mercy had a strong opening in the second quarter, securing two early baskets through Rachel Huijsdens and Megan Connolly.

Maeve Barry registered the first score of the quarter for her side and fouls send both Emma Sherwood and Rheanne O’Shea to the line, both securing the optimum points.

DCU levelled just four minutes in and scores were exchanged for the remainder of the quarter.

Pushing the Gap

St. Mary’s trailed by four points with 16 seconds to go to half time when Paris McCarthy hit a basket to see the score board read 34 – 36 at the half time interval.

Once again it was DCU who opened the third quarter, pushing the gap to six at one point. A superb check from Denise Dunlea resulted in a basket from Lorraine Scanlon at the other end to get St. Mary’s back on form. Sherwood added another and a Deirdre Geaney steal set Paris McCarthy up for a score.

Hugely Supportive Crowd

Greenberg and Donohoe put DCU on top yet again but to the delight of a hugely supportive crowd, both Deirdre Geaney and Denise Dunlea sunk threes to give Team Garvey’s a two point lead at the end of the third.

Both sides took some time to settle in the final quarter, each having registered just one basket in the first four minutes.

Opportunities were there but the shots just would not fall. Greenberg and Clancy shone for Mercy in this final quarter, pushing their side ahead but St. Mary’s Emma Sherwood kept her side in touch.

Sherwood Sends it to Overtime

A three from Clancy was responded to by Paris McCarthy and with seven seconds to go Emma Sherwood hit the two that was needed to put the game into overtime.

DCU, through Hannah Thornton, hit the first basket in overtime and team mate Rachel Huijsdens registered a point from the free throw line go see DCU go three points up but Deirdre Geaney hit a brilliant three to level with 1.54 on the clock.

The visitors made several attempts to come back but could not get the score and as the clock ran down, it was Team Garvey’s who had possession.

Geaney’s Strike a Second from Time

Deirdre Geaney drove to the board and attempted the shot with less than a second to go. She was fouled and sent to the line, Geaney sunk the second to take the much deserved win for St. Mary’s.

Final score after overtime: Team Garvey’s St. Mary’s 68 DCU Mercy 67

Teams and Scorers:

Team Garvey’s: Paris McCarthy 17; Denise Dunlea 16; Deirdre Geaney 12; Emma Sherwood 10; Lorraine Scanlon 9; Rheanne O’Shea and Meabh Barry 2 each, Niamh Ní Conchuir and Rachel Ryan.

DCU Mercy: Bailey Greenberg 16; Rachel Huijsdens 10; Alarie Mayze and Hannah Thornton 9 each; Nicole Clancy 7; Megan Connolly and Maeve Phelan 6 each; Ali Donohoe and Maria Jaen Lozoya 2 each.

Team Garvey’s play Trinity Meteors in Dublin on Saturday next, February 5th.

St. Mary’s U-18 women play in the cup qualifying tournament on Saturday next in Portlaoise.

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