League leaders Bobcats pushed all the way by Cougars

U14 BOYS DIVISION 1 Bobcats 48 Killarney Cougars 43

THE unbeaten Bobcats welcomed the Killarney Cougars to John Mitchels on Friday and a very close contest saw the Bobcats secure the points. Cougars secured two wins league wins over the Bobcats last season and this time the Bobcats were firmly in the driving seat early on as the home side got off to a flying start to lead 16-6 with Tim Pollman Dameen and Dominic Finnegan both impressing.

The second quarter was dominated by Cougars as they worked hard to reduce the arrears with good baskets by Jack Lynch and Daire Murphy to trail 24-20.

Cougars continued to dominate the third quarter with Padraic Talbot and Tommy Bowler impressing with good baskets to leave just the minimum between the sides 34-33.

The home side had a good response in the final quarter to maintain the lead despite good pressure from Cougars.

A closely contested final quarter saw Bobcats Cathal Culloty score a basket and shots from the free throw line by Sean and Tim Pollman Dameen in the closing minute secure the points in a very entertaining game.

U-12 BOYS DIVISION 2 St Bridget’s 28 Gneeveguilla 27

This was a pretty exciting derby with St Bridget’s just grabbing victory with late free throw. , Gneeveguilla scored 14 points to St Bridget’s 10 in an exciting second quarter, with excellent shooting by Sean Finnegan for Gneeveguilla and Cathal Sheehan for St Bridget’s.

The teams were level again after the third quarter on 19 apiece. David Healy scored 2 baskets for Bridget’s but Gneeveguilla’s Cian O’Leary equalised. It was nip and tuck down the stretch with the sides tied on 27-27 with 14 seconds to go. Then Cathal Sheehan went to the free throw line and converted one from the throw line to seal a dramatic win.

GIRLS U-14 DIVISION 1 Gneeveguilla 36 Kenmare Kestrels 35

Gneeveguilla were home to Kenmare last weekend in another exciting battle that saw the home team win by a single point. Kenmare led 10-8 after the first quarter with baskets coming from Sarah Taylor, Aoife Crowley, Amy Harrington and Tanya Salvado.

Gneeveguilla dominated the second quarter with some fine finishing by Megan McCarthy, Tara O’Leary and Aisling Brosnan. This helped the home team to a 20-12 lead at half time.

Gneeveguilla led by 11 points (29-18) at the end of the third quarter where Kornelia Cybul and Alice O’Leary played very well defensively. However, Kenmare were not giving up and staged an exciting comeback in the fourth quarter with some fine shooting from Salvado, Harrington and Taylor combined.

Gneeveguilla’s Caoimhe Guerin Crowley really found her range when it when it was needed most scoring six of Gneeveguilla’s seven points in the last quarter.

This combined with Roisin McAuliffe and Michelle Fleming fighting hard defensively helped Gneeveguilla hold on for a great win.

U-14 GIRLS DIVISION 2 St Paul’s 32 St Anne’s 27

This was a very tough and close encounter all through, with some great basketball played by both teams. For St Anne’s, Katie Brosnan, Muireann Ring and Martha Fitzgerald all played well.

For St Pauls, Holly Power top scored with Jade Potts, Eve Crowley, Clodagh Sheahan and Aisling Stack impressing throughout, and great rebounding by Ellen Kennedy, but scores by Caelyn O’Grady and Katie O’Connor at the end proved crucial in St Pauls grabbing a vital win.

U-14 GIRLS DIVISION 3 St Bridget’s 39 Ballybunion Wildcats 17

St Bridget’s started strong, with some excellent scores by Caitlin Twomey helping St Bridget’s lead 14:6 after the first quarter. Hillary O’Connor then added some excellent baskets in the second quarter increasing St Bridget’s lead to 22:9.

The third quarter was dominated by St Bridget’s ending on a three-pointer from the half way line from Hillary O’Connor. Leah White got 4 points back for The Wildcats and Mira Danielak contributed well in the first and last quarters.