The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
St Annes U-16 boys win big against Tigers
U-16 BOYS DIVISION 2 St Anne’s 46 Tralee Tigers 22
IN the opening quarter scores were at a premium as both defences were on top. The sides were tied on 4-4 with Tomas Clifford for St Anne’s and Hayden Johnson for the visitors rebounding well.
St Anne’s played the second quarter with greater purpose, and they were rewarded with 20 points in the quarter versus a return of four points for Tralee Tigers. The lead that St Anne’s established in this quarter was to effectively decide the contest. To the credit of the visiting team, they did keep asking questions of the home side and Tigers tightened up defensively.
Scorers for St Anne’s came from Cian Doe, Michael Brosnan, John Power and Darren Deniel. Tralee Tigers had a basket each from Austin Fitzgerald and Terry White but St Annes led 24-8 at half time.
In the third quarter, defences were on top but St Annes found it easier to score and Peter Cosgrave, Cian Doe and Darren Deniel helped St Annes to lead 42-9.
In the final quarter Tralee Tigers fought on bravely and had a fantastic return of 13 points in this quarter but St Annes had the damage done much earlier.
BOYS U-16 St Joseph’s Duagh 53 Killarney Cougars 60
A very entertaining played in Duagh was decided in the closing stages of the final quarter with Cougars finishing the game as they started with some great baskets from Sean O’Brien and Ruairi Murphy. The home side were in contention throughout with the three point shooting of Thomas O’Connell who hit seven second half three pointers. Cougars led 17-10 at the end of the first quarter and were in control but the home side found the range in the second quarter to trail 28-25 at half time with Paul Walsh impressing with 10 points.
The home side had the better of third quarter and deservedly took the lead 45-44 heading into the final quarter with O’Connell’s three points shooting doing the damage. Cougars finally got their defensive game going and regained their composure and the lead and once ahead they took a grip and finished as they started the game with a good spread of scores with Sean O’Brien, Eoin Talbot and David Bartlett all contributing some good baskets to see Cougars take the points in a great contest.
U14 BOYS DIVISION 1 St Marys Castleisland 41 Killarney Cougars 45
St Marys hosted the Cougars at the Castleisland Community Centre and a close and exciting counter saw Cougars come away with the points.
The home side lead in the early stages and were 16-11 in front with good baskets by Keelan O’Donoghue, John Ahern and Justin McCarthy with Tommy Bowler impressing with six points for Cougars.
The second quarter produced few scores with the home side just holding onto the lead 20-17.
The visitors had their best spell of the game in the third quarter with Padraic Talbot beginning to dominate on the boards and a Tommy Bowler three pointer helped give the Cougars the lead deservedly 32-28.
The final quarter was very exciting with Cougars working very hard to keep the lead as both sides went on the attack in a very open quarter with Harry Byrne and the impressive Jack Lynch giving Cougars the edge in end to end basket for basket final few minutes despite good scores in the closing stages by Keelan O’Donoghue and John Ahern for St. Marys the Cougars held on for the win.
BOYS U18 DIVISION 1 St. Brendan’s 56 Gneeveguilla 67
Gneeveguilla opened the scoring with some lovely baskets from Paul O’Leary and David Gleeson. Brendan’s fired back with some great drives to the basket from Ama Lelental. The sides went in all- square at half time with 30 points apiece. Gneeveguilla pulled away to take the advantage in the third but Brendan’s refused to go down without a fight. John Fok-Seang, Micky O’Gara and Shane McCarthy all landed three after three after three until the sides were level again. Brendan’s looked to be assuming control of the game until the brave East Kerry side fought back to put them back on top. Brendan’s then had a chance to go back on but Alan Enright was unlucky not to land a three-point effort. Gneeveguilla saw out the game with a nine points to spare but Brendan’s showed great heart and determination to battle to the end.
JIMMY CURRAN MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
Congratulations to St Brendan’s Men’s and Ladies Senior teams who participated so well in the Jimmy Curran Memorial Tournament in Moyderwell over the weekend.
Both teams got to the final with the Men’s team winning out with a win over Cordal and the Ladies who came up just short against Killarney Cougars. Congratulations also to Jamie Lowham on winning the Men’s MVP and Cass Buckley who was the Ladies MVP. Thanks to all the teams from Kerry and Cork that participated. The club is very proud to host the annual tournament in memory of the late Jimmy Curran, our former Club President, and was delighted to welcome Helen and her family who presented the winning trophies. Thanks to everybody involved in organising another great event.