All-Ireland Schools League Mercy’s title bid (part two)
Mercy College’s Girls U-19 basketball team seek to win a second national trophy
SOME secondary schools can only dream of getting to an All-Ireland final. A few are lucky to win on the big day, others less fortunate.
There is one Sligo secondary school, Sligo town’s Mercy College, who are in a unique position – they have qualified for two national deciders in schools basketball for the 2023-24 season.
On Wednesday, January 17, they claimed the Basketball Ireland All-Ireland Schools Girls U-19 ‘C’ Cup and this talented squad are now one win away from taking honours in the All-Ireland Schools Girls U-19 ‘C’ League.
This coming Monday they’ll take on St Joseph’s Secondary School (Spanish Point) in the AllIreland decider (tip-off 12.15pm) at the National Basketball Arena – the setting for last month’s triumph.
Victories over Roscommon’s Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál (quarter-final) and Clones’ Largy College (semi-final) have set up this upcoming tilt for glory. The league play-offs took place on Monday, January 19 – just five days after their cup triumph.
The team’s head coach Louise Harte, a former Mercy student who has become synoymous with schools basketball and is also heavily involved with Sligo All-Stars Basketball Club, knows that her players are in a brilliant place right now. Two national finals, one title secured and the opportunity to win another.
Harte stated: “We’ve been building towards this in recent years but Covid-19 meant that these players didn’t get the chance to perform in the younger age groups.
“I’m so lucky that we have this group of
The number of national finals in schools basketball contested by the Mercy College this year. players – they are so committed. I’ve seen other talented groups come through but you just never know what is around the corner for them because of the standard of other teams.”
Although the Mercy have an outstanding performer in Anna McDaniel, who scored 31 points in the All-Ireland Schools Girls U-19 ‘C’ Cup final defeat of Naas Community College (she was named that final’s MVP), Harte emphasised that the Mercy squad got them over the line in that game. The focus will again be on the group rather than any one or two individuals when taking on St Joseph’s Secondary School.
“It is about who works best together, how they gel. Basically, if a player is in a better position on the court then the ball goes to them. We have no players looking for glory for themselves – it is all about the team. The movement of this team is very good and the defence is strong.”
Being national finalists in two competitions is indicative of a hectic season and Harte thanks the school for its support.
“We’ve been on the go with this group of players since last September – travelling all over the country. It has been a long season – I didn’t expect to get to a second All-Ireland final, although I probably wished for it.
“Anne Gorby is our principal now and back in the late 1980s she, along with several others, was to the forefront of reviving basketball in the school. Anne and the rest of the staff have been so supportive.”
For the five Leaving Certs in the panel, Monday’s game is potentially their final time to represent the Mercy on a basketball court. Overall, the ages range from 15 to 19. Among the squad are players for whom basketball is not their first sport but they’ve still contributed to this magnificent journey – one of these is rugby international Poppy Garvey, who’ll miss the All-Ireland final because of injury.
“Monday’s game is going to be a special occasion – the players know what their accomplishments mean for the school. If we play to our ability on Monday then we have a chance of winning,” added Harte, who also recalled that she played in two All-Ireland finals for the Mercy, losing both.
Aoibheann Schmidtmeier, Clodagh Barrett (cocaptain), Kayleigh Walsh, Poppy Garvey, Sarah McDaniel, Anna McDaniel, Xena Morgan (co-captain), Hazel O’Brien, Emma Lineen, Clara Reynolds
Head coach: Louise Harte