All Ireland Glory for St. Paul's 2005

The Cadette Girls team got through to the All Ireland Cup Final and the All Ireland league semi-final after a thrilling 37-36 win over Loretto Swords, Dublin in the qualification tournament played in Oughterard January 2005.

All Ireland Cup Final

St Paul ’s Cadette basketball team won the All Ireland Cup final in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght against Ballincollig, Cork. From the start it was end-to- end stuff with both teams scoring baskets from fast breaks.

MVP Sinéad Burke started by scoring 7 of St. Paul’s first 11 points. Maeve Clancy and Sinéad Morley were performing well under the boards and grabbed some great rebounds. Maeve Malone was playing very tight defense and got some great steals to set up Sinéad Burke and Maeve Clancy for more fast breaks.

 At half time the game was close with St Paul’s leading 19-16. Ballincollig upped the pace in the third quarter, but St Paul’s measured up to the challenge and pressed hard through out the quarter. The last quarter saw Sinéad Morley and Tena Thornton dominated under the boards and quick ball movement from guards Meabh Malone and Sinéad Burke increased the lead. Ballincollig fought hard to come back but it wasn’t enough and the game ended 45-37.

Martin Hehir, I.B.A. Schools Development Officer presented the cup to captain Suil Collins.

Team: Megan Gibney, Vanessa Butler, Claire Mc Donagh, Deneise Mc Quinn, Maeve Clancy, Tena Thornton, Suil Collins (Captain), Sarah Mc Gauley, Sinéad Burke, Chloe Thornton, Maeve Malone and Sinéad Morley.

All Ireland League Final

The same Cadette team lost to Ursuline Cork in the League final. The girls were unlucky to lose in this nail biting game played in the Tallaght Arena. The first quarter was tight, with twins Orla and Sinéad O Reilly on fire for Ursuline Cork. St Paul’s stayed right in the game and with Sinéad Burke and Meabh Malone dominating the scoring for St. Paul’s they finished the quarter leading 11-10.

 The second quarter again was close with the two Irish Internationals Sinéad and Oral O Reilly once again scoring vital points. The twins dominated the boards due to their obvious height advantage and Ursuline Cork lead 17-15.

 The 3rd quarter saw Ursuline stay in front with the O Reilly’s netting 13 points between them. St Paul’s never gave up and fought bravely only trailing 30-27 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The 4th quarter was very tight with St. Paul’s doing all they could, but in the end they were unable to overcome the scoring power of the O Reilly twins and the game finished 47-39 to Ursuline Cork.

Scores: Sinéad Burke 14, Meabh Malone 10 Maeve Clancy 6.

Community Games – Boys Under 13 – May 2005

Boys under 13 got to the County semi-final of the Community Games. Corrib had a convincing win over Abbeyknockmoy. Best for Oughterard on the day were Cian Harte, Eanna Malone, Stephen Tierney, Mickey Mc Donagh and Enda Tierney. Oughterard played with great heart and passion for much of the second period and the score was locked at 16-14. However, Barna won out in the end and went on to play Maree/ Oranmore in the final.

Team: Luke Ryan, Stephen Tierney, Patrick Gibbons, Paul Mc Quinn, Christopher Butler, John Gibbons, Patrick Walsh, Ian Gibbons, Enda Tierney, Mickey Mc Donagh, Christopher Forde, Cian Harte and Eanna Malone. Coach: Matthew Tierney.

Corrib Senior Ladies 2005

By December the senior ladies team were 2nd in the Galway League, having won games against Ballinrobe, City Tribes and Gort. They went on to win tight games against Moycullen and Maree/Oranmore. The beat Moycullen 46-44 and played a fantastic match against Oranmore/ Maree winning by just one point.

Niamh Fahey was rebounding very strongly and got some great scores. Ita Greene controlled the game very well and Sinéad Kyne was excellent in defense, not letting Oranmore near the boards. In the last quarter Oranmore were beginning to come back but Corrib’s great rebounding and quick scores kept them ahead. Corrib went forward to contest the semi-final of the County League and the Galway Cup.

Team: Rebecca Molloy, Jackie Walsh, Brigid Fahy, Sinéad Kyne, Niamh Fahy, Imelda Walsh, Ita Greene, Clíodhna Murphy, Helen, Fahy, Mary Angela Mc Grath, Sandra O Connor, Elaine Walsh, Jenny Davin and Catriona Brosnan.