Basketball All-Ireland Schools' Cup FinalsSt Malachy's College, Belfast, lifted their second title of the All-ireland Schools' Cup finals with a remarkable 77-75 victory over Calasanctius, Oranmore, in the boys Under-19A final in Tallaght's basketball arena yesterday.
St Malachy's turned the game on its head when it seemed Oranmore had done enough, leading 75-72 with just 10 seconds left on the clock.
But Michael Dougherty's sublime three-pointer tied up the match and seemed destined to send the game into overtime but the final twist came in the form of Niall Mullen's perfectly executed basket to seal the win for the Belfast college despite a huge points tally of 30 from the Galway side's David Hansberry.
Earlier, in the Under-16A final, the Belfast school's early domination was quickly overturned by a stunning three from Tramore's lively number nine Ben Kelleher. Tramore's revival continued with a lay-up through David Connolly, with Kelleher reducing the margin to just three points with his second three-pointer.
Chris Henry and Ben McCaughey struck important baskets for St Malachy's in the closing stages of the quarter to leave Adrian Fulton's charges with a 17-14 advantage.
A free throw from Drew Keating gave Tramore hope but it was too little too late and St Malachy's went on to win on a scoreline of 64-48.
After a highly entertaining game as both teams rose to the occasion in the Under-19A Girls' final, Calasanctius, Oranmore, lifted their second cup of the day thanks to an unbelievable display from the game's most valuable player, Claire Rockall.
As hard and gallantly as Presentation, Thurles, tried they were confronted with a great display from Rockall, who when she wasn't topping up her personal points tally, was offloading to Catriona Foley and co-captain Nicola O'Connell to do likewise.
As the clock ran down the Thurles school had it all to do but Emma Carey's sublime shot from outside the circle followed up with another score before their captain Katie Shanahan's basket gave them a glimmer of hope, leaving six between the teams.
But a wonderful defensive steal from Rockall resulting in two free throws, which she duly despatched, kept the Oranmore school's slender lead intact as time finally ran out for Presentation, Thurles and the Galway school celebrated their second triumph of the day.
In a repeat of last year's Under-16A Girls' final, Calasanctius Oranmore triumphed 54-42 over Presentation, Castleisland, with superb performances from the most valuable player, Ailish O'Reilly, and top scorer Louise Joyce with 21 points.
Along with their team colleagues, both players' wonderful play around the boards was rightly acknowledged by their jubilant coach, Joe Shields, after the final whistle.
"I'm thrilled and delighted, I said at the start of the game it was going to a close game. We got a bit of a run in the third quarter, and they took it back. But I'm absolutely thrilled for the girls as they worked really hard."
