The 49th annual Blitz sees 164 games culminate in some brilliant finals at all standards
SENIOR LADIES St Mary’s Red 24 St Mary’s Black 22
St Mary’s Red took a six-point lead before the Millie Luck hit the first three of the game for the Blacks. Another from Labhaoise Wamsley settled them as they went up 10 points to six but the Reds came back in the last few minutes and it was 13-10 in favour of the Blacks at half time. The sides were level on 18 points with four minutes remaining, and the Reds were just two clear with 21 seconds remaining as Orla White’s big three-point attempt to win it failed to drop on the buzzer.
MVP: Labhaoise Walmsley (St Marys Black)
DIVISION 2 WOMEN Kenmare Kestrals 10 St Bridgets 33
St Bridget’s dominated and kept their opponents scoreless until the second half. Nuala O’Connor put on an impressive display for the Currow side and was strong under the boards. Kenmare put up some good shots and were unlucky they didn’t fall. Caroline Casey netted Kenmare’s first score with seven minutes to play after a strong drive to the board. This was followed by another Kenmare score by Emma O’Sullivan but Currow maintained their lead throughout for the win.
MVP: Nuala O’Connor (St Bridgets)
DIVISION 3 WOMEN The Toppers 14 Globe Hoppers 8
The Toppers showed all their experience to take the win. The Globe Hoppers netted the first score but it was answered quickly by Sandra Hartnett. Both teams were on form and scores from Aisling O’Connell and Grainne Bergin saw the sides level with a minute to half time but The Toppers led by a point at the break. Globe Hoppers’ Julieanne Twomey got an early score to push her side ahead by one, but on-target shooting from Sandra Hartnett, Aine O’Connor and Mary Nolan, along with good defence by The Toppers helped their side increase the lead and take the win.
MVP: Mary Nolan (The Toppers)
DIVISION 1 MEN KCYMS 32 St Brendans 41
In a physical encounter St Brendan’s took an early five-point lead and proved to be the better team. A three-pointer by Rap Bulvydas was answered by Killorglin’s Ronan Fitzpatrick. St Brendan’s put on a strong team performance and maintained their lead throughout the first half. The Killorglin side continued to battle, and a Fitzpatrick basket closed the gap to three at half time. Fitzpatrick narrowed the gap early in the second half with free throws, but St Brendan’s Padraig and Aaron Fleming were impressive for their side. St Brendan’s extended their lead with Rap Bulvydas and Steven Bowler impressing. Killorglin kept fighting until the end and Conor Murphy hit a big three in the dying minutes, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
MVP: Eamon John O’Donoghue (Cordal) DIVISION 4 MEN Cordal United 29 The Rejects 31
This final was the first of the tournament to go to extra time. The Rejects led 13-9 at half time. Tom O’Connor, Philip O’Connor and Mossie Enright were on form for Cordal while Shane O’Connor, Sean Nolan and Timothy O’Connell performed best for The Rejects. Cordal upped the tempo in the second half and the sides were level in regular time. Three minutes of overtime was played and a late basket by Shane O’Connor sealed the win for The Rejects.
MVP: Philip O’Connor (Cordal) DIVISION 5 MEN London Bucks 22 People’s Rep of North Ballymac 9
London Buck were quick off the mark and led 13-5 at the interval, Jack Kirwan having contributed 10 points. Brian Lonergan hit four points for the Ballymac side in the second half but London Bucks were unstoppable and finished on 22.
MVP: Jack Kirwin (London Bucks) U14 GIRLS St Mary’s Red 19 Kerry Green 17
Both sides were physical and strong under the boards. Kerry Green took an early lead but St Mary’s were strong under the boards and good rebounding and quick movement up the court brought the sides level. Strong play from Kerry Green saw them go two points ahead before half time. Both sides gave impressive performances in the second half, particularly on defence. The sides were level with a minute to go before Hanna Herlihy scored two free throws to put St Marys ahead by two. Kerry Green had chances to level the game, but failed to capitalise on any of their efforts.
MVP: Hanna Herlihy (St Marys Red)
U14 BOYS Rathmore 24 St Mary’s 18
This final was tightly contested with the opening half going point for point for the duration. Rathmore took an early lead with scores from Fionn Murphy and Sean Finnegan, but St Mary’s answered with scores from Brian O’Leary, Mint O’Connor and Patrick O’Shea. Further scores from Rathmore saw them lead by a point at half time. Both sides battled hard in the second half and St Mary’s were very strong on defence but couldn’t close the four-point gap. Rathmore’s Cian Twomey had an impressive drive through the Mary’s defence to push his side even further ahead in the dying seconds, helping Rathmore to a six-point win.
MVP: Rory Burke (Rathmore)
U16 GIRLS St Mary’s 24 TK All-Stars 13
This U-16 girls final was a fast paced match. TK All-Stars got an early lead but St Mary’s fought back to level with three minutes left on the clock. The All-Stars were strong on offence and led by a point at half time. St Mary’s put on a better second half performance and good defence and shooting helped them go ahead. Aoife Kerins put in an excellent performance for St Mary’s which enabled them to maintain their lead.
MVP: Aoife Kerins (St Marys) U 16 BOYS Bobcats 22 St Mary’s 25
This clash was a physical encounter with both sides showing great skill. Both teams were strong under the boards and it was went basket for basket from early on. Good rebounding from St Mary’s Cian Walsh Murphy and impressive play from John Aherne helped St Mary’s push ahead by four. St Mary’s were strong on defence in the second half, but Bobcats showed kept the pressure on. A three-pointer from Dominic Finnegan pushed Bobcats ahead by one. St Mary’s caught everything under the board and further scores from Adam Kelly saw them take the lead. Impressive shooting from Mary’s helped them secure the win.
MVP: John Aherne (St Marys)