Derby final at Blitz
took 2 periods of overtime to decide the game. After an absorbing contest Brunell pushed 5 points ahead with just 1.34 left on the clock but a three-pointer from Fr Mathews Danielle O’Riordan along with a basket from Amanda O’Regan tied the game and took it into the first overtime. Brunell pushed 6 ahead, but Fr Mathews showed never say die spirit to pull back once more, and Suzie Large scored the all important equalizer on the buzzer to tie the game 31-31 and take the contest into the second period of overtime. O’Regan with five points kept Fr Mathews in touch but MVP Amy Murphy scored 2 on the bounce for Brunell to tie the game 36-36, and Alex Macheta sank two free throws with five seconds on the buzzer to win the game for Brunell 38-36.
The Division One men’s contest saw St Mary’s U-20s take on KCYMS with the Killorglin outfit proving too strong for their young opponents winning on a scoreline of 37-15. At half time there was only two points in the game 15-13 but St Mary’s only scored a solitary basket in the second half as KCYMS dominated proceedings. Eoin O’Sullivan 9 and MVP Saulius Marcinkevicius with 10, top scored for Killorglin while Alex Fleming hit 6 for St Mary’s.
Elsewhere, Waterville went down by one point 18-17 to a strong Cordal United team in the Division 2 men’s decider in spite of an MVP performance and 10 points from the great John Teahan for Waterville. Teahan scored 7 on the bounce to drag his team back into the game in the second half but it was the Philip Griffin inspired Cordal that held out for a one point victory in the finish.
The St Mary’s Division 2 ladies defeated Currow on an 18-12 scoreline with Irish underage international Rebecca Ryan scoring 7 points and deservedly winning the MVP award after powering her team forward throughout.
Tournament director Donal O’Connor said: “I think it was a great blitz and it is always worth the hard work when you see the crowds and see how well everything has fallen into place.”
It is estimated that in excess of 13,000 patrons visited the tournament this year.
Presentations were made to retired principals Cait Daly, Scoil Ide Curranes, and Denis Griffin, BNS, for their dedication to the blitz during their time as principals.
A special presentation was also made to club chairman Maurice Casey. Maurice has been chair for the past five years and he was highly complimented on his success and popularity as both chairman and club member and for also for the ongoing work he does for the club. Maurice’s wife Michelle was also presented with a bouquet of flowers.