St Annes come good in final quarter push

UNDER 12 BOYS DIVISION 3 PLATE FINAL St Annes 26 TK Cougars 19

ST Annes superior height was a major factor in this well contested Boys Under 12 Division 3 Plate Final with the Farranfore side always in control in the opening two quarters. Colin Callaghan with two early baskets had St Annes in front but Mark Daly and Rocco Sheehan replied for Cougars.

However, St Annes moved 11-6 clear at the end of the opening quarter thanks two excellent baskets from Luke Ring. By half-time Annes looked in complete control with Ring adding five more points as St Annes led 18-10 at the break.

Cougars really upped their game in the third quarter with Rocco Sheehan unstoppable in the paint as Maidchi Lynch and Ted Gorman ran the floor. Rocco dominated both boards as St Annes went on an 8-0 run to level the contest at 18-18 at the end of the third thanks to baskets from Colm O’Mahony, Rocco Sheehan (2) and Killian Caulfield Dreier while St Annes failed to score with their man Colin O’Callaghan on four fouls.

But St Annes regrouped for the final quarter and Josh Vermiglio drained two early buckets as Lynch replied from the free throw line for Cougars, but Cougars could not buy a basket late on as St Annes defended superbly as two late baskets from Gearóid Evans sealed a narrow but deserved win against a very good Cougars side.