Dynamites produce late rally to deny Drogheda Sparks

SPARKS’ season came to a close in an exciting but ultimately disappointing semi-final match in the NEBB Under-16s’ Top 4 competition at the weekend.

It was the Drogheda side’s most complete, consistent and impressive performance against a top-four team all season, but ultimately not quite enough.

Sparks, who finished fourth, faced league winners Libby in a keenly anticipated match-up and, having lost both previous meetings the Drogheda side knew who were the favourites.

The form book, however, was kicked aside early on as Sparks - just for a change - started impressively, playing strong defense and closing the first quarter four points up.

DROGHEDA SPARKS LIBBY DYNAMITES 37 38

The second quarter saw more of the same as Sparks built on their lead and at half-time the Drogheda girls were eight points clear of their arch rivals.

However, Libby found their scoring touch in the third quarter and reduced the deficit to three.

Sparks coach Gar Mac Criosta had his team well prepared and they settled back to their own game in the fourth quarter.

With just four and a half minutes to play Sparks led by five, but Libby came strong again and put together a run which saw them take the lead for the first time in the match - 38-37 - on a crucial three-point shot with just a minute to play.

That turned out to be the match-winner despite Sparks’ best efforts to conjure a late winner and Libby went on to beat Navan Cougars by 15 points in the final later that day.

Sparks can take consolation from the fact that the team has been getting stronger by the week and almost all of the players are eligible to play at Under-16 level again next season, again unlike most of their competitors. SPARKS: Ava Briscoe, Ava Prendergast, Ava Russell, Abby Rice, Abby Strutt, Ciara Nic Criosta, Nikola Busa, Gretta McEvoy, Kate Kelly, Ruby Matthews, Moya McCabe, Zoe Gardener, Ome Esajabor, Laura Mulligan, Ellie Riggs.