Back to back wins for Gneeveguilla over Cougars and St Annes

DIVISION 2 WOMEN Killarney Cougars 39 Gneeveguilla 44

KILLARNEY Cougars hosted Gneeveguilla on last week with both teams on a great run off form at the top of the league a close contest was expected and that is how the game played out with the game going down to the wire in a very entertaining game.

The visitors lead 14-8 after the opening quarter with Laoise Coughlan impressing with early baskets for Gneeveguilla. Cougars improved after their slow start with Kate Looney adding 6pts as the visitors still lead in a very low scoring first half 19-15 that was keenly contested but defences well on top.

Cougars had a good third quarter with Mags Cronin and Alma O’Mahony adding good baskets and a big three pointer by Kelly Ahern saw Cougars leading 31-29 at the end of the third quarter.

A see saw final quarter saw both teams very committed and the visitors came back strong with baskets by Joan Brosnan and Sarah Murphy and despite another big three pointer by Ahern for Cougars to tie the game to set up an exciting finish it was the visitors that responded well with late baskets from the free throw line by Laoise Coughlan to take the points for Gneeveguilla.

Gneeveguilla 46 St Annes 39

GNEEVEGUILLA led 10-5 at the end of the first quarter thanks to scores from Amy Murphy, Mary Cremin, and Sinead Daly and Laoise Coughlan. D D O’Sullivan and Ciara Murphy kept St Anne’s in touch.

The second quarter was an even affair with both teams adding 9 each to the scoreline. At half time Gneeveguilla led 19-14.

St Anne’s upped the tempo in the third quarter with a man to man defense which saw them get ahead by four going into the last quarter (26-30).

However, all was not over and a great last quarter performance by Laoise Coughlan of Gneeveguilla turned the game back into the home sides advantage allowing Gneeveguilla to run out winners 46-39.

St Brendan’s 43 St Mary’s 30

ST Brendan’s hosted the league leaders St Mary’s to the Moyderwell Gym on Monday last and the Tralee side came out on top with a comfortable winning margin. St Brendan’s lead throughout and were 9-4 ahead thanks to the impressive Claire O’Sullivan.

St Mary’s had a much better second quarter with Louise Joyce baskets getting them back into contention to see them trail 16-14 in a low scoring second first half. The game swung very much in favour of the home side in the third quarter as St Brendan’s began to dominate thanks to good scores by Katie Costello and Laura Griffin to lead 29-19.

St Mary’s despite the efforts of good baskets by Jackie Burke struggled to stay in contention as further baskets by Claire O’Sulllivan and Katie Costello ensured a home win for St Brendan’s who remain unbeaten with games in hand of the leaders St Mary’s.