National League Division 1 1990-1991

Corrib Ladies lined out again in 1990 in Division 1 National League under the stewardship of coach, Kathleen Mc Carth for the 2nd year. Joining the team for the first time was Fiona Lusby, science student at U.C.G. Fiona came from Oranmore, Maree. She was a steady player and hoped to gain experience with Corrib’s National League. Sinéad Kyne a student at St Paul’s joined the team for the first time too. Sinéad was on the u15 and u17 inter-regional team and on the u15 Irish school Girl’s team. She had coached the local u13 girls Community Games team also – a player of great promise she hoped to gain valuable experience with Corrib ladies.

Ann Marie Kyne was selected captain to lead the team with former players playing a pivotal role – Ita Walsh Green, Shirley Angland, Trish Corbett, Ursula Kyne, Mary Kyne, Josephine Burke, Sinéad O Holloran and Fiona O Sullivan.

American Player – Katie Delaney

Katie Delaney came from Stonehill College, North Easton, M.A. She majored in Political Science. Second all time leading scorer with Stonehill College. Ranked in top 20 nationally 1987 & 19888. Winner of numerous awards for her achievements in Basketball. She demonstrated qualities of responsibility, concern, dedication and the co-operation of her fellow players. She was an energetic player who gave a hundred per cent effort on and off the court. She was an outstanding 3 point shooter with a career high of 27 point game against FIT in Florida. With her ball handling skills, good defensive ability, good shooting ability, good judgement and her strong leadership qualities Katie lived up to her reputation and proved a most valuable addition to Corrib’s attempt to move further up the table in Division 1. In fact Katie topped the Division 1 scoring list in 1990/1991.

A Great Start

Corrib got their National League campaign off to a great start with a convincing win over West Coast Coolers, Dublin. Playing with great passion and great defensive work from Trish Corbett, Mary Kyne and Josephine Burke and the shooting ability of Ita Walsh, Ann Marie Kyne, Ursula Kyne and the athletic power of Katie Delaney and coaching skills of Kathleen Mc Carth Corrib ran out deserving winners 74-62.

Corrib Share Top Position

At the start of the League after wins over West Coast coolers and Killester 86-63 Corrib shared top position with Blarney and Snowcream Wildcats. Sinéad O Halloran, Ita Walsh and Josephine Burke played some very aggressive man-to-man defence while Mary and Ursula Kyne took some valuable scores. Katie Delaney scored 36 points and was at this stage proving a most valuable asset to Corrib. Her ball control, clever passing, excellent long range shooting and unselfish play contributed to Corrib’s style of game. Ann Marie Kyne scored 36 points alongside Katie in the Killester game.

Defeat to Marathon, Limerick

Corrib came up against a huge height disadvantage against 4 tall players in the Marathon team – Mary Jo Curran and American Missey Lender dominated the boards. Corrib struggled to stay in touch throughout the game. Katie scored 26 points with Ann Marie Kyne and Ursula Kyne netting 19 and 18 points respectively but it wasn’t enough to secure victory. Marathon were worthy winners 79-67.

Surprise ICS Cup Knockout for Corrib

Corrib lacked the same commitment which earned them victory in their first two League outings against Brunell, Co Cork in the ICS Cup. By the 12th minute of the second half the scores were 60 points each. At this turning point Brunell ran up an 8 point lead while Corrib lost Ann Marie Kyne on fouls. Brunell punished Corrib’s team fouls and despite Katie Delaney’s efforts in the remaining 4 minutes Brunell edged away to a 13 point lead.  

Corrib 73    Tolka Rovers 70

Corrib won three of their first four League games which was a great credit to the haard work put into the team by coach Kathleen mc Carth. The game against Tolka Rovers, Dublin saw a return of team spirit and will to win. Norah Mc Donagh Corrib’s previous American player gave added strength to her new team Tolka Rovers. Scores were exchanged between the teams in a see-saw battle up to half time. Corrib 37  Tolka Rovers 36.

Katie Delaney was top scorer with 33 points. Corrib’s Josephine Burke and Ita Walsh worked hard on their zone defence covering the Tolka shooting guards Mairéad Daly and Karen Hannigan. At this stage of the game both teams were in foul trouble. In the 17th minute both Katie Delaney and Ann Marie Kyne scored to give Corrib the lead 68-66. From then on free throws were awarded for fouls committed by both teams. With 30 seconds remaining Ann Marie Kyne was fouled and she steadily scored both free shots to put Corrib a head 73-70.

Corrib 86   Brunell 49

Corrib had a convincing win against Brunell who knocked Corrib out in the ICS Cup two week previously. Corrib was determined to settle a score with this team who had beaten them by 12points in Cork.

Katie Delaney delighted the home crowd with a fine display of skilful shooting – 34 pts. Josephine Burke scored in the 18th minute to give a 43 -19 lead in the first half.

At the beginning of the second half Corrib scored 16pts with only a 2pt response from Brunell. Shirley Angland defended well at the top of the zone making it difficult for Sinéad Cuff and Myriam O Connor. Corrib were worthy winners.

Blarney v Lee Strand

Corrib fell from 2nd place on the League table when they lost to Lee strand 56-71. Bernice Dowling and Máire Ní Laighan, two internationals found the weakness in Corrib’s defence to deservedly win. Lee Strand’s experience helped them pick their chances and their accurate shooting counted, while Corrib anxious to score rushed some offences.

In the 2nd half of the League Corrib encountered two defeats when they ran into foul trouble against West Coast Coolers. Dubliners’ height advantage caused much trouble when their inside players got the ball. However Ursula Kyne and Trish Corbett contributed well to the scoreboard, while Katie Delaney, Ita Walsh and Mary Kyne worked well at the top of the key winning some steals to convert into scores. Ursula Kyne and Ann Marie Kyne and Ita Walsh ran into foul trouble and Coolers ran up some easy scores to revenge their previous defeat.  Final score: Corrib 56 West Coast Coolers 75.

Corrib v Snowcream Wildcats Waterford

Playing in Waterford which was never an easy away game to win, Corrib lost even though they gave one of their best displays. There was nothing between the teams for most of the game. Katie Delaney worked well with her team-mates and gave a sparkling performance being the games highest scorer with 41points. The score was equalised at 47 points each and with only seconds to go to half time Jillian Hayes put in a rebound almost on the buzzer to give Waterford 2pts lead at half time.

Corrib contested every ball keenly and there was a good flow to their game in offence yet they lost out to strong opposition 79-91.

Naomh Mhuire v Corrib (Extra time)

Even though Naomh Mhuire had a 6pt lead at half time with great shooting from June Blount and Sarah Mc Clusky who seemed to control the rebounding in the first half. The margin between the teams was kept low throughout the game.

The closing minutes of the second half were hair-raising as former International Eilis Ní Laoire missed her second free throw and Corrib stole the ball to score in the 20th minute. Katie Delaney was fouled and was awarded two free shots which she calmly put away to equalise the score.

In the last seconds of the game Corrib again intercepted a pass and were unlucky not to score. The timer sounded to signal full time and then the game went into extra time.

The home crowd got behind the home team and egged on they came to life. Katie Delaney scored 17 points in five minutes finishing with a three pointer on the buzzer from three quarters way down the court. The crowd went wild with excitement and the game was talked about for weeks on end. Ann Marie Kyne scored 26points and was awarded M.V.P. for her outstanding rebounding, steals and over all contribution to this memorable victory.

Two Memorable Victories

Corrib had two important victories against Brunell (Corrib 70 Brunell 60) and Corrib 71 Tolka Rovers 62)

Corrib kept in touch throughout the game with Brunell. They played man-to man defence forcing Brunell to make mistakes and came away comfortable winners. In the game against Tolka Rovers both teams played a tough physical game but Corrib showed great team character in controlling the game and at half time led 37 pts -26pts

In the second half four Corrib players were in foul trouble and Sinéad Kyne came into the game. Rover’s girls pressed the ball tightly but were unable to keep up the pressure without fouling. Corrib converted the free throws and had a 9 point margin over their rivals.

In their next game against Blarney Corrib were without two of their starting five and were out classed by Blarney.

Corrib 59  Wildcats 53

Corrib always felt that Wildcats were the team to beat. The large home crowd gave tremendous support to the Corrib ladies in an exciting contest. After trailing in the first half Corrib gave a sparkling display in the second half with all of the players contributing to the scoreboard. Corrib trailed 47pts to 50pts Waterford.

At this stage Corrib introduced talented Shirley Angland who gave a fiery performance scoring 6 valuable points in the last 5minutes. Having regained the lead in the 17th minute Corrib worked hard to play disciplined and patient offences. Time ran out for Wildcats and Corrib emerged victorious to tremendous cheering from the home crowd.

It was a pity that Corrib couldn’t build on this win as in the next match: they went down to west Coast Coolers and later Naomh Mhuire took revenge by having a convincing win over Corrib in Dublin. The local team couldn’t contain Patsy Hall and Sahra Mc Closkey.

Corrib end the Season on a high note

Corrib rounded off their National League season in Oughterard with a good win over Killester, Dublin.

Killester ran up an early 9point advantage but Corrib were not to be deterred and with some good defence and excellent fast breaking from Mary and Ursula Kyne they reduced Kilester’s lead to just one point at half time 35-36.

With seven minutes left to play Killester changed to a triangle and two defence to curb the Corrib shooters, but Corrib reacted quickly and Josephine Burke combined well with Mary and Ann Marie Kyne to score three baskets without reply from Killester to go 6 points in front.

Corrib were unfortunate to miss out on the top four, playoffs, but over all they had a good season, finishing in 6th place on the League table.

Katie Delaney was top scorer in the League and Ann Marie Kyne was the third highest scorer – a remarkable achievement for both players against tough opposition and many International players.

International Colleges Competition

Mary, Ann Marie and Ursula Kyne were chosen to represent Ireland in an International Colleges Competition. Ann Marie received the M.V.P award in Paris in 1990 against the Soviet Union team. She won the M.V.P award playing for Limerick University at the Inter-Varsities and the Ciarán Treacy Memorial Cup at the University of Limerick. 

Ursula also a student at the University was awarded the M.V.P. award at the top Fours scoring 25 points for her college. She was a serious threat from the outside and with her ability to drive to the basket, she kept the opponents guessing, enabling her and her team-mates to score at will against U.C.C. She also received a University award as a player for the college.

Mary a student at D.C.U. was presented with a Basketball award at the University Sports Award Ceremony. Frank Fahy, Minister for Sport made the presentation.  This was Mary’s second year to win the award for her outstanding achievement in Basketball at D.C.U.