Basketball All-Ireland Schools finals: After just eight years playing basketball Coláiste Íosagáin won their first All-Ireland League title in the senior A section at the National Basketball Arena yesterday. The management team of David Biggins, Maire O'Toole and Gráinne O'Toole can take a bow.
Unsurprisingly, it did not come easily as Our Lady's, Castleblaney dragged them into a dogfight that required some steely nerve to prevail. They trailed by nine points at one stage in the third quarter. The 34-30 final scoreline highlighted the slender difference between the schools.
In the end, some impeccable free throwing - far superior to last week's boys' finals - ensured the south Dublin school achieved their first national success. In this regard, and throughout, all the on-court players contributed.
However, joint captain Kate Ní Mhaoláin (with Nikki Ní Thuathail) was first among equals. Five points allied to 12 rebounds meant she deservedly picked up the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy.
In the fourth quarter Fiona Ní Mhaoinaigh, Rachel Nic Gearailt, Joanne Ní Mhathúna and Lauren Ní Dhubhshlaine all found their range from the free-throw line. It's rare that so many players on one team hold their nerve under pressure.
For Our Lady's, captain Angela Lennon shone as did Vivienne Tavey, Dionne Harte and Anne-Marie Lennon.
Meanwhile, the All-Ireland Cadette C Girls final was decided after a peerless performance from Brona Sullivan of St Mary's, Edenderry. Her 17-point haul denied Dunmore CC the title by a single point.
In the Senior C final it was a far more straightforward affair as Salesians, Limerick overpowered Killarney CC 52-26. Leading by a 14-point margin at half-time Limerick stayed clear with scoring contributions from Rebecca Fitzgerald (MVP), Aisling Danagher and Sorcha Holmes.
All-Ireland Schools League Finals (National Basketball Arena): Senior A Girls: Coláiste Íosagáin 34 (R Nic Gearailt 8, L Ní Dhubhshlaine, N Ní Thuathail 6), Our Lady's, Castleblaney 30 (A Lennon 8, V Tavey 8, D Harte 5). Cadette C Girls Final: St Mary's, Edenderry 25 (B Sullivan 17, G Kelly 4), Dunmore CC 24 (B MacDonnell 9, C Dolan 6, B Hannon 5). Senior C Girls Final: Salesians, Limerick 52 (R Fitzgerald 18, A Danagher 16, S Holmes 11), Killarney CC 26 (S Griffin 13, M Walsh 10).
