Impressive win puts Cougars into next round of National Cup

WOMEN’S NATIONAL INTERMEDIATE CUP Tolka Rovers 56 Killarney Cougars 69

THIS Dublin Kerry clash saw Cougars given a searching test by Tolka but the Cougars blistering start to the game saw them come through the test holding onto their early lead throughout at the Tolka Sports Complex on Saturday in opening game in National Intermediate Cup clash against Tolka Rovers before a good attendance.

The Killarney side made the better start playing the game at a fast pace and it had the desired effect as Cougars went into a good lead with Cassandra Buckley and Lousie Ni Mhuircheartaigh both on the end of some great moves as they hot six points each in the opening quarter which Cougars dominated with Tolka struggling with the pace of the game trailing 22-7 by the end of the quarter.

The home side found their feet in the second period and took the game to Cougars Eileen Kevany and Ciara Curran contributing some good scores for Tolka to revive their chances with the arrears reduced to nine but Cougars stepped up again with Marian O’Callaghan and Rheanne O’Shea on target with a couple of big threes at the right time and Megan Buckley and Mags Cronin both added good baskets to finish the quarter on top and remain in front 42-29 at the half time break.

The third quarter saw Tolka continue to improve and they had a good start to the quarter to reduce the lead to just 8 points but Cougars again found a good response towards the end of the quarter with Amanda Brosnan, Rheanne O’Shea and Cassandra Buckley all contributing great scores to see the lead increased to 55-39.

The pattern continued in the final quarter with Tolka again starting the better and they again reduced the lead with quick scores to trail 55-46.

Cougars kept their composure and Lynn Jones hit another important three to silence the home support and Cougars added further quick baskets form Allyson Caggio to ease into a more comfortable lead.

With time running out the Cougars matched the Dublin side through the final minutes to finish deserving winners in a good contest with Cougars enjoying a good spread of scores through the team proving crucial as they advance to the next round next month. TOP SCORERS KILLARNEY COUGARS: Cassandra Buckley 13pts TOLKA ROVERS: E Kevany 21pts

Kieran Donaghy, Tralee Warriors, and Neil Baynes, UCD Marian, under the boards at a packed Tralee Sports Complex during their Superleague match last Saturday night. Photo by Domnick Walsh