Plate titles for Cougars

U-16 BOYS PLATE FINAL Killarney Cougars 49 St Brendans Tralee 37

A BLISTERING start by the Cougars saw them lay the foundations for this victory as they led 9-3 in the early stages and held a lead throughout the game. Cougars Tommy Bowler opened with his sides first 9 points and he was a thorn in the side of the Tralee boys all through.

St Brendans enjoyed a strong second quarter to trail 24-20 at half-time with Eddie Sheehy impressive with 8 points. The sides were basket for basket in a competitive third quarter before a big final quarter saw the Killarney boys secure the win despite a spirited St Brendans performance with Coren Hughes impressing with 10 points in the second half.

Cougars Harry Byrne, Tommy Bowler, the games top scorer with 23 points, Brian Burke and Jack Lynch all impressed.

U-16 GIRLS PLATE FINAL Glenbeigh Falcons 34 Killarney Cougars 35

A CLOSELY contested game throughout saw the result in doubt until the buzzer with Cougars taking the title by just a point to follow the Cougars boys title win. Cougars made the stronger start to lead at the end of the opening quarter 11-8 with Meave Bellew and Meabh Coleman Horgan on target with five points each.

Glenbeigh’s Eimear Burke ensured the Falcons stayed in touch with the Cougars with some great baskets to leave just three points between the side 19-16. Glenbeigh were on top in the third quarter with Marin Duffy and Eimear Burke getting the scores to tie the game 26-26 with a Holly Clifford three pointer keeping the Cougars level.

The lead changed sides throughout the thrilling final quarter with the Falcons Eimear Burke impressing with some hard earned scores against the strong Cougars defence pushed the Falcons in front but the Killarney girls despite serious foul trouble dug and baskets by Bellew and Clifford gave Cougars a one point lead with the Falcons pressure just failing to secure a winning basket.

The top scorer was Eimear Burke with 20 points for Glenbeigh Falcons with Holly Clifford, Meave Bellew and Meabh Coleman Horgan best for the Cougars.