Cup finals weekend in Kerry basketball
Padraig Harnett
THE first weekend of the Kerry Airport Kerry Area Basketball finals saw 15 trophies given out to TK Bobcats (3), St Brendan’s (3), St Mary’s (2), Tralee Imperial (2), Caherciveen, St Paul’s, Glenbeigh Falcons and Kenmare Kestrels.
And while there were victors and defeated teams over the three days the real winner was the sport of basketball. The skills from the teams, the encouragement of the coaches and the support of the crowds were wonderful to see.
Every game was hotly but fairly contested in a great sporting manner and a lot of this comes from those on the benches. The refs, the venue at the Sports Complex, and the KABB Committee and officials all did a great job in ensuring that this was a special weekend for the sport and all those involved in it.
Bobcats see off Falcons in opening game win
The action began on Friday when TK Bobcats defeated Glenbeigh Falcons 49-26 in the U-14 Girls Cup final. The Ballymac girls made a great start led by Jill Quirke and Aoibhinn Broderick and they were 13-4 ahead at the end of the first quarter.
They pushed on in the second quarter led by Anna Collins with Leona O’Sullivan and Orlaith Burke scoring for the Falcons. To their credit they put in a big third quarter with Lara Hoare and Seodhla O’Donovan getting on the score sheet but Rachel Griffin, Quirke and Maire Culloty helped the Bobcats lead 37-15 going into the last quarter. They pushed on with Rachel Creedon and Griffin wrapping up their scoring and the win.
Early Saturday double for St Brendan’s
St Brendan’s began the action on Saturday morning by winning the U-18 Boys Cup with an 85-77 point win over KCYMS. The Tralee boys led by 2 at the end of a tight first quarter 26-24 and with James Fernane leading their scoring they continue to lead at the half.
KCYMS were always in contention with a wide spread of scoring lead by Ruairi and Conor Murphy. But with Rap Buiyvdas showing his class the Tralee boys always did just enough to stay ahead and take the Cup by 8 points.
There were more celebrations for the Tralee club as they followed up by winning the U-16 Boys Cup defeating St Pauls 50-44. The Saints led 12-11 at the end of the first outscored 16-11 in the second quarter. And going into 4th quarter St Pauls were still leading 38-38. However the Tralee boys, with Coren Hughes doing most of the damage, took over in the fourth to take the win.
Caherciveen take the Boys U-18 Division 2 Plate
A strong first quarter by Caherciveen which put them 16-7 ahead led by Sean Teehan put the South Kerry side in contention to win this final. Shane Casey and Jack Kelly helped Cahercivven add 15 in the second but John Curtin and Darragh Kelly were doing everything to St Bridgets in the game.
St Bridgets enjoyed a big third quarter hitting 25 with Padraig Hillard impressing but a 6 point better final quarter saw the win go to Caherciveen 67-54 .
Bobcats over Brendan’s in U-13 Cup
The U-13 Boys Cup saw TK Bobcats take the win 31-20 over St Brendan’s. Jack Joy was leading the Ballymac side’s scoring while Brayden Pierce and Rowhan Healy were keeping the St Brendan’s score board ticking over.
Bobcats pulled away with Joy, Eoin Moriarty, Luke Griffin – who also made some big defensive reviews – and Mairtin McKivergan getting the score that gave them an 11-point victory.
St Mary’s celebrate afternoon double
St Mary’s Castleisland have two more trophies in their cabinet as they won the U-14 Boys Cup defeating Rathmore Ravens and followed that up by seeing off Gneeveguilla in the U-12 Boys decider.
A big first half from Mint O’Connor put St Mary’s in control in the U-14 Cup final. Eoghan Shire, Luke McShane and Larry Nolan added scores for the Castleisland boys. Michael Togher and Padraig Moynihan tried hard for Rathmore.
St Mary’s with scores from Cormac Walsh, Freddy O’Mahoney and Kyle Buckley went ahead in the first quarter. Both sides found scores hard to get in the second quarter but a 14-8 score in the third set St Mary’ up for the win.
St Paul’s U-12 Girls end day with the win
The younger the age the noisier the crowd and that was the case in the U-12 Girls Cup final. A big display of scoring from Clogadh Clancy added to be baskets from Ciara O’Sullivan, Siofra Randles and Cliona Moynihan amongst others put St Paul’s in control over Imperials who tried hard. Laura Falvey and Priya O’Donovan were the main scorers for the Tralee girls.
Bobcats defeat St Pauls in Day 3 opener
A huge haul by Tim pollmann Daamen helped TK Bobcats defeat St Pauls 77-59. He hit over half his sides points with Adam Kelly and Dominic Finnegan also among the scorers. For St Pauls SenanO’Leary, Jamie O’Sullivan and Ben Flavin were amongst a wide range of scorers.
Brendan’s win U-11 Cup in weekend’s loudest game
The U-11 Boys final was played in front of a hugely vocal crowd with St Brendan’s taking the win 29-16 thanks to a big game from Rory Bowler, Harry Murphy and Rohan Kirby. Liam O’Rahilly and Jack Collins led the TK scoring.
Falcons soar in U-17 Girls final
In a game where Glenbeigh
Falcons always looked to be in control off Gneeveguilla never gave up in the U-17 Girls Cup final. Falcons won 55-50 with Eimear Burke and Hollie Clifford enjoying big fourth quarters to see them just stay ahead. Michelle Fleming and Lily O’Brien led the Gneeveguilla scoring.
Imperials win U-11 Girls Cup
This was another cracking game by the youngest stars with the decibels rising from the bleachers. Sophie Mitchell and Anna Slattery led Imperials to a 15-8 win despite the best efforts of Cougars Faye Lynch and Jessica Leggate.
Falcons U-16 soar to victory
Caherciveen battled hard but a Kestrels side led by Tania Salvado-McCornack were in control for most of the game and won 50-38 in the U-16 Cup.
St Paul’s take U-18 trophy
The U-18 Girls final was won 39-32 by St Pauls over St Mary’s in a game that was tight until late on. Ava Sheehan, Jade Potts and Julie Delaney were the St Pauls top scorers and special mention mut go to Ava O’Doherty who rushed back from the Kerry Ladies game in Wexford to make the tip off.