Team McCarthy’s win in overtime

WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Team Tom McCarthy’s St. Mary’s 81 Trinity Meteors 76

TEAM Tom McCarthy’s St. Mary’s secured their third win of the season on Saturday when the beat visiting Trinity Meteors by five points.

The guests were first on the scoreboard following a three and bonus from Carolyn Binder but Emma Sherwood responded and a strong first quarter performance saw them take an early lead.

Meteors were in foul trouble and both Sherwood and Cassandra Buckley were on target from the line. Denise Dunlea and Lorraine Scanlon contributed from play and the St. Mary’s girls defended well resulting in a five point lead at the end of the first.

It was Trinity Meteors who shone in the second quarter. They put a press on and denied Team Tom McCarthy’s shot opportunities. Both Edel Thornton and Lauren Grigsby were hugely impressive for the Dublin side who hit a huge 20-point for the quarter to hold a six point lead at the half time interval.

Team Tom McCarthy’s rallied in the third quarter. Siofra O’Shea came into her own and 10 points while Dunlea, Buckley, Walmsley and Scanlon registered from play. Just a point separated the sides at the end of the third.

The final quarter was intense as the sides went basket for basket. Grigsby and Thornton continued to be the dominant ones for Meteors but the home team were in super form and kept up with their opponents and the crowd got behind the Castleisland side.

A brilliant steal and score from Siofra O’Shea left just a basket between the sides with remaining on the clock, Meteors ahead 66 to 68. O’Shea went to the line and narrowed the gap to a single point and with four seconds to go she made another from the line leaving the sides at 68 points apiece and putting the game into overtime.

Denise Dunlea opened the scoring in extra-time and Thornton responded. With a third win in succession there for the taking St. Mary’s were not about to let it slip.

O’Shea gave a massive performance and aided by Dunlea and Scanlon they went up four points. Emma Sherwood sealed the win with a point from the free throw line to leave the final score at 81 points to 76 in favour of Team Tom McCarthy’s.

St. Mary’s coach Liam Culloty was thrilled with the result. “I’m delighted to get a big win against a really good team, they have outstanding players and we did a great job defending their good players,” he said.

“Siofra O’Shea was fantastic in taking us to overtime, lots of small things from a lot of players contributed to securing the win.”

TEAM TOM MCCARTHY’S: Lorraine Scanlon 19, Denise Dunlea 19, Siofra O’Shea 18, Cassandra Buckley 10, Emma Sherwood 7, Labhaoise Walmsley 4, Loreta Maher 4, Orla White, Roisín Casey, Miriam Leane, Meabh Barry and Paris McCarthy.

TRINITY METEORS: Edel Thornton 23, Lauren Grigsby 23, Carolyn Binder 14, Rachel Rice 4, Sarah Kenny 4, Katie Kilbride 4, Katie McDaide 4, Eimear Martin, Katie Garton, Meabh Ryan, and Niamh Kenny.