Treble win for Tralee Imperials in Cup
Scruffy’s St Pauls victory makes it all Kerry senior cup final
SENIOR WOMEN NATIONAL CUP SEMI-FINAL
Imperials 70 Longford Falcons 39 TRALEE Imperials powered their way to a comfortable 70-39 point victory over Longford Falcons in thsis semifinal to reach their first Senior Ladies Cup Final.
The Imperials squad is mainly built around last year’s winning Under 20 squad, who are currently top of the National League Division 1, where they are unbeaten.
Imperials were always in control against a Falcons team that seldom threatened Imperials dominance, where Emma Gallagher hit a game high of 21 points and Ashley Campbell chipped in with 16 points.
Imperials led 14-6 after the first quarter and stretched that advantage to lead 30-17 at half time. Sinead Mackessy, with seven points, and Lisa Brennan, nine points, were particularly impressive on their rebounds and were just two solid performers in a very strong and united first half team performance.
Team captain Emma Sherwood didn’t make the starting five, having been sidelined for a few weeks with a wrist injury, but she did take to the court for the start of the second half and immediately brought a new urgency and purpose to the Imperials efforts.
Imperials won the third quarter 18-8 and wrapped up an accomplished performance in the final quarter, 2214, to ease into the final where they will meet Killarney rivals St Pauls.
Scorers for Imperials: Emma Gallagher 21, Ashley Campbell 16, Lisa Brennan 9, Sinead Mackessy 7, Linda Raymond 6, Aisling O’mahony 4, Emily Brick 5, Emma Sherwood 2.
UNDER-20 WOMEN NATIONAL CUP SEMI-FINAL
Tralee Imperials 52 Brunell 48 TRALEE Imperials won a hard fought semi-final against home side Brunell in a highly entertaining game in Cork. The game started brightly with captain Meabh Barry opening the scoring for Imperials, but Brunell led 18-14 at the end of the first quarter. Their lead was extended to seven with Kelliher hitting a three-pointer to start the second quarter.
Imperials upped the pressure and with Laura Hoffman and Deirdre Geaney getting some big scores Imperials edged into a 30-25 lead, and with The Tralee Imperials players take a moment to discuss their strategy during their National Cup semi-final in Cork at the weekend the Tralee girls taking advantage of a Brunell switch to a man to man defence Imperials enjoyed a 32-29 half time lead.
Brunell starred the second half the better side but Imperials just about held on to their advantage, with Amy Fitzgerald having a great quarter of basketball while Laura Rogers contribution off the bench ensured a 41-38 final quarter lead for Tralee.
With home court support Brunell stole the lead and led by four points heading into the final three minutes but a Deirdre Geaney steal and basket steadied Imperials and the lead was back with the Tralee ladies and they held on in a hectic closing minute to book their place in the final, where they will meet DCU Mercy.
Top scorers for Imperials: Meabh Barry 14, Deirdre Geaney 13, Laura Hoffman 9.
UNDER-18 WOMEN NATIONAL CUP SEMI-FINAL
Tralee Imperials 66 Maree 58 TRALEE Imperials took part in the National cup semi-final at the week end against Maree from Galway in the Parocial Hall, Cork. At the end of the first quarter Imperials led 17-15. Both sides played some great basketball and at half time Imperials were three points ahead 31-28. Imperials gave it their all and with great encougagement at half time from coaches Jimmy Diggins and Tomas O'hanlon the third quarter was even better,with Imperials outscoring Maree 19-12 to take a 50-40 lead into the fourth quarter. Imperials remained focussed and strong in the final quarter and almost matched Maree basket for basket to book their place in the final against Brunell by 66 points to 58.
Top scorers for Imperials: Laura Hoffman 18, Amy Fitzgerald 13, Laura Rogers 12, Dreidre Geaney 11.