Heartache for Team Tom McCarthys

HULA HOOPS WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE NATIONAL CUP SEMI-FINAL

Team Tom McCarthy’s St Mary’s 49 Portlaoise Panthers 60

THERE was heartache for Team Tom McCarthy’s St Marys as they bowed out at the semi-final stage of the Division 1 National

Cup.

The Castleisland women lost out to Portlaoise Panthers, who booked their place in the Hula Hoops Women’s Division 1 final, after a 49-60 victory over Team Tom McCarthy’s. Portlaoise were led by the returning Claire Melia and Trudy Walker who dominated inside and on the boards.

St Mary’s stormed out of the gates early, with scores coming from Loretta Maher and Denise Dunlea. Portlaoise committed multiple turnovers in the opening period, which combined with St Mary’s fine shooting form, gave the Kerry side the lead, 14-4, at the end of the first.

Portlaoise started hitting shots in the second and were boosted by the return of Claire Melia who dominated inside. Ciara Wheeler ran the floor for Portlaoise and set up scores as they sought to close the gap. St Mary’s continued to score well and held a 30-22 lead at half-time.

Portlaoise’s Trudy Walker and Melia made some big shots in the third as their side took the lead for the first time in the game.

Both sides created good scoring opportunities, but it was St Mary’s’ Loretta Maher who took advantage of the shot creations as her side led, 38-37, heading into the final quarter.

Portlaoise’s Melia and Walker shot well in the fourth, while St Mary’s’ Maher continued her fine shooting form as the sides could barely be separated. Portlaoise went on a run late in the fourth, started by a Claire Melia and-one. Soon after their win was cemented by a Sarah Fleming three as Portlaoise were victorious 49-60.

Top scorers

TEAM TOM MCCARTHY’S: St Mary’s: Lorraine Scanlon 11, Loretta Maher 10, Emma Sherwood 8

PORTLAOISE Panthers: Trudy Walker 17, Sarah Fleming 9, Ciara Byrne 7

TEAM TOM MCCARTHY’S ST MARY’S: Labhaoise Walmsley, Cassandra Buckley, Emma Sherwood, Orla White, Miriam Leane, Deirdre Geaney, Meabh Barry, Loretta Maher, Denise Dunlea, Siofra O’Shea, Lorraine Scanlon, Roisin Casey, Paris McCarthy

PORTLAOISE PANTHERS: Trudy Walker, Grainne O’Reilly, Ciara Wheeler, Lisa Blaney, Ciara Byrne, Deirdre Tomlinson, Shauna Burke, Gillian Wheeler, Jasmine Burke, Hannah Collins, Shauna Dooley, Sarah Fleming, Claire Melia