Donoghue nets Division One Cup title for St Mary’s against St Brendans

SENIOR MEN DIVISION 1 CUP FINAL St Mary’s 76 St Brendan’s 72

AFTER so many one-sided games this Men’s Senior Division 1 game turned into a classic thriller that thrilled the vociferous crowd who got value as it was just superb. The game came down to depth of the bench, as St Brendan’s missed Darren O’Sullivan, an intentional call which handed Adam Donoghue the chance to win the game from the free throw line after Kieran Donaghy, in flying form, Fergal O’Sullivan and Paul McMahon had drained superb scores for the Tralee side.

When Robert O’Sullivan fell over but somehow got the ball to O’Sullivan he drained a three-pointer to make it 69-66 with 3.04 left. Adam Donoghue levelled the scores but McMahon gave St Brendan’s a onepoint lead only for Donoghue to restore St Mary’s lead with two more from the charity line 73-72 with 1.02 left.

Then great work by Donaghy saw Padraig Fleming try a three-point shot that a more experienced player would have headed for the hoop with the opponents in foul trouble. And with 12.7 seconds left an intentional was called on St Brendan’s Adam Donoghue does not miss free throws as St Mary’s nicked a famous win.

Donoghue top scored with 26 points, Shane O’Connell (20) and Darragh O’Connell (15) for Mary’s while Donaghy (15), Paul McMahon (18) and Fergal O’Sullivan (20) top scored for St Brendan’s.

SENIOR MEN DIVISION 2 CUP FINAL St Brendan’s 69 Tralee Tigers 48

ST Brendan’s had far more craft and bigger spread of scorers as they always held sway against a Tralee Tigers side that played well in the second and final quarters but lacked scoring power. St Brendan’s led 35-25 at half time with Cyril Wallace scorning (9), with Aaron Buckley and Ian Carey also prominent.

Mark McDonnell was Tigers best shooter finishing up with 17 for the game while Timmy Collins and Shane O’Leary also played well. However, St Brendan’s with Wallace on fire and Liam O’Sullivan shooting a couple of threes and Carey and Buckley in fine form, St Brendan’s won without ever hitting top gear.