St Marys exit U-20 National Cup against visiting Panthers
U-20 WOMEN’S NATIONAL CUP QUARTER-FINAL
St. Mary’s 50 Portlaoise Panthers 73
ST. Mary’s U-20 girls took on Portlaoise Panthers in the quarter-final of the National Cup at the weekend. Led by team captain Labhaoise Wamsley the Castleisland side started strong netting five points courtesy of Shauna Ahern and Nicole Downey inside of the first two minutes.
The visitors first score came from the free throw line and from here on they were unstoppable. The visitors had a physical advantage making it difficult for St. Mary’s to defend and as the quarter progressed they pushed ahead by 10 points, strong performances coming from Sarah Fleming, Gillian Wheeler and captain Claire Melia.
A huge performance by St. Mary’s Siofra O’Shea in the second quarter saw her register nine of the sides eleven points for the quarter but once again the visitors dominated hitting 23 leaving the half time score at 25 to 47 in favour of Portlaoise.
Both the final two quarters were more evenly balanced but the gap was too much to close and Portlaoise booked their place in the semi-finals.
ST. MARY’S: Siofra O’Shea 21, Labhaoise Wamsley 11, Shauna Ahern 6, Sarah O’Sullivan 6, Nicole Downey 3, Siobhan Collins, Danni Reidy, Gemma Kearney, Emma O’Regan, Rachel Ryan, Aoife Dunlea and Ciara Ryan.
PORTLAOISE PANTHERS: Claire Melia 18, Lisa Blaney 14, Sarah Fleming 11, Gillian Wheeler 9, Ciara Byrne 7, Amy Byrne, Shauna Dooley 5, Hannah Collins 2, Jade Burke, Jasmine Burke, Caoimhe Foynes, Shauna Mulhall.