The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Rathmore make history in Juvenile Cup finals
U-12 BOYS CUP FINAL
Rathmore Ravens 36 TK Bobcats 23
Rathmore Ravens won their first ever Juvenile Cup title when they proved too strong for a TK Bobcats side that refused to give up in an exciting up tempo final. Rathmore raced 15-4 in front after the opening quarter with Fionn Murphy (6), Cian Twomey (5), and one basket each from Padraig Moynihan and Darragh Nagle doing the damage. Scoring slowed down in the second quarter with Ravens outscoring Bobcats 7-2 and at 22-6 it looked all over.
However Bobcats rallied in the third a brace from Sean Rice and Evan Boyle and matched Rathmore score for score as Padraig Moynihan, Michael Togher and Ciaran Collins excelled. However, despite winning the final quarter 6-3 thanks to baskets from Sean Rice and Michael Culloty, Fionn Murphy played a captains role as Rathmore Ravens made their own history and full marks to coach Jim Hughes for a job well done.
U-16 Girls Division 2 Plate Final
St Bridget’s 54 TK Vixens 49
St Bridget’s under head coach Denny Porter had to battle all the way to beat TK Vixens though Vixens did score three baskets in the final seconds as St Bridgets relaxed. St Bridget’s were in front at the end of the opening quarter 18-15 as both sides traded baskets with Edel Brosnan scoring 10 points for the Currow girls while Grace Ryan and Aibhilin Murphy replied with 4 each for Vixens. Vixens shaded the second quarter 14-13 with Murphy scoring 6 and Shauna Scanlon netting four to leave it delicately poised at 31-29 at the interval. Bridget’s shaded the third 11-7 with Grace Daly (5) and Orla O’Sullivan (3) keeping Currow just in front 42-36. Ciara Fitzgerald, Orla O’Sullivan and Joyce O’Connor kept St Bridget’s in front despite the best efforts of Aibhilin Murphy.
U-16 Boys Division 3 Plate Final
Rathmore Ravens 43 Gneeveguilla 39
A typical derby game between neighbours Rathmore and Gneeveguilla ended in victory for Rathmore Ravens by just four points after a sew saw battle that could have gone either way. Alan Dineen was the difference between the sides as he dominated the boards at both ends with good help from James Darmody and Cathal Ryan. It was 20-17 at half time and 31-28 at the end of the third as Damien Cronin, Jake Fleming and Danny Callaghan kept Gneeveguilla afloat but Alan Dineen was Rathmore’s trump card.
U-14 Plate Final
Killarney Cougars 17 St Pauls 31
A great start by the Cougars saw them take the early advantage in the opening minutes with good baskets by Holly Kennelly and Katie Joy but a quick time-out saw St Paul’s quickly recover to go in front by the end of the quarter to lead by four points thanks to good baskets by Jade Potts and Aisling Stack.
Once ahead St Paul’s began to dominate as they pulled away to lead by 10 points before half-time. A good response by Cougars in the third quarter to reduce the arrears with good scores from Meabh Coleman Horgan, but St Paul’s quickly re-established their control with good scores by Tara Donnellan, Eve Crowley and Aisling Stack and despite good pressure from Cougars they could not break through the excellent Paul’s defence as they finished deserving winners.
U-12 Cup Final
St Mary’s 24 Tralee Imperials 14
Tralee Imperials have started brightly fell away in the second half of this U-12 Cup final and St Mary’s inspired by the industrious Hannah Herlihy. Tralee Imperials led 7-4 and 12-11 at half time and were well in the contest. Then Hannah Herlihy cut loose and scored two baskets in the third
quarter before adding three more in the 4th with Imperials failing to score from play scoring only two free throws thanks to excellent St Mary’s defence.
U-14 Girls Division 3 Plate Final
St Bridget’s 38 St Annes 27
Another close contest for three quarters of this final saw St Bridget’s emerge victorious over neighbours St Annes. Caitlin Twomey led like a captain should and got great assistance from Hillary O’Connor who scored some vital baskets while Emma Buckley was also to the fore. St Anne’s tried very hard with Katie O’Leary giving them an 8-4 first quarter lead but Emma Buckley and Hillary O’Connor found their range and St Bridget’s led 16-12 at half time. It was 28.19 at the end of the third and despite baskets from Rachel Murphy and Katie O’Sullivan, St Bridget’s thanks to baskets from Caitlin Twomey and Emma Buckley proved just too strong after a gripping contest.
U-16 Boys Division 2 Plate Final
Killarney Cougars 72 Glenbeigh Falcons 55
A whirlwind start by the Cougars saw them lay the foundations for victory over the Falcons in a very entertaining and high scoring final. Cougars dominated the early exchanges to race into a 17-4 lead with the Cougars in control on the boards with Sean O’Brien, Daniel Aleksjenko, and David Bartlett all on target.
The Falcons recovered well and trailed 38-24 at half-time thanks to the excellent shooting of Rian O’Donovan who hit some excellent outside shots and Tommy Quirke with some hard earned baskets to keep them well in contention. The determined Falcons reduced the arrears to eight points early in the final quarter with successive three pointers from Rian O’Donovan and Tommy Quirke to get their support going but Cougars responded in style with Ruairi Murphy, Sean O’Brien and Captain Eoin Talbot all hitting some excellent baskets to kill off a good Falcons side who just never gave up for Coach Mary Jo in an excellent contest.
U-14 Boys Division 2 Plate Final
Cahersiveen 34 Tralee Imperials 27
This was a gripping contest notable for two features that decided this final. Young Ronan Teahan son of Tigers legend John was the difference between the sides as he controlled the point and scored all the clutch shots he took. It was also unfortunate that Imperials Dean Rusk picked up a head injury that had everybody worried but opposing coach John Teahan was on hand to keep Dean comfortable until the ambulance arrived and his team went to win without his guidance for the final five minutes. All in KABB wish Dean a speedy recovery and he had a fine game along with Sean Collins but Cathal O’Shea, Fionan O’Sullivan and the aforementioned young Teahan just held on after a superb contest.
U-14 Boys Division 3 Plate Final
Kenmare Kestrels 51 Cahersiveen 22
Kenmare Kestrels were always in command against this Cahersiveen side that lacked height and scoring power. Kestrels led 13-4 at the end of the first and 28-10 at half time with Mark Torpey doing the first half damage while Hugh Granville dominated the second. David O’Neill got the most of Cahersiveen’s haul but Kestrels were just too strong and Torpey and Kevin O’Shea saw them cruise to victory. Mark Torpey top scored with 14, while Hugh Granville got 12 with David O’Neill top scoring for Cahersiveen with 12.
U-16 Girls Division 3 Plate Final
St Anne’s 51 Kenmare Kestrels 29
After a tight enough opening quarter when St Anne’s only led 15-10, they went on a scoring rampage in the second outscoring their opponents 24-2 to lead 39-12 at half time so the final was more or less done and dusted. Chloe O’Connor scored 10 in the second quarter while Elaine O’Donoghue and Sarah Kennedy also did well while Ellen Adams had 10 for Kestrels who actually won the third quarter and only lost the fourth by three but that second quarter blitz clipped their wings.