Sport

Ard Scoil Rathangan win Under-19A boys basketball All-Ireland Schools Cup

Christ King Cork beat rivals St Vincent’s in under-19A final

Emma Browne of Saint Vincent’s Cork and Ciara Murray of Christ King Cork during the All-Ireland Schools Cup Under-19A final at the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght. Photograph: Inpho
Emma Browne of Saint Vincent’s Cork and Ciara Murray of Christ King Cork during the All-Ireland Schools Cup Under-19A final at the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght. Photograph: Inpho
Tue Jan 20 2015 - 01:00

Ard Scoil Rathangan staged a remarkable comeback to claim the Under-19A Boys All Ireland Schools Cup at the National Basketball Arena. The Kildare side were 28 points down to St Eunan's of Letterkenny in the third quarter but a 21-0 run and some impressive defence saw them come back to claim a memorable win.

St Eunan's were cruising as their backcourt players Seán McGettigan and Mathias Traulsen created angles for each other in the opening quarter. Andrew McGeever was impressive from the perimeter and Mark Thornton was finding some athetic routes to basket past much larger opposition.

St Eunan’s stretched their 41-18 half time advantage out to 28 points midway through the third quarter before an injury to the high flying Thornton marked the turning point in the game.

In his absence, Rathangan went on a stunning run of shots as MVP Shane Maughan found his range from outside and James Byrne used his frame to get some close range baskets.

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St Eunan's couldn't stem the tide with Mathias Traulsen fouling out and a full court press creating open layups for Aaron Whelan and Ciarán Maher. Connor O'Loughlin levelled matters and despite a deep three from Andrew McGeever, Rathangan were carried over the line by an electrified Arena support.

Girls final

Christ King Cork

are the All-Ireland Under-19A Girls champions having beaten Cork rivals St Vincent’s by 65-46. The St Vincent’s attack couldn’t find their way around twin sisters Hannah and

Ciara McCarthy

. The pair withstood the constant driving attacks of US bound Edel Thornton and often picked themselves up off the court to put back rebounds at the other end.

St Vincent's did take the lead early in the second quarter through Emma Browne but couldn't sustain their advantage as the influential Olivia Dupuy was unable to shake off a knee injury.

In the Under-19C Boys final, Coláiste Pobail Setanta were too strong for Lagan College of Belfast. The Northerners were missing Paul Mellon for much of the game to personal fouls while Urosh Kutijevac, Faruoq Raheem and point guard Ruairi O'Sullivan were an effective spine for the Clonee school. Raheem claimed the MVP for the winners for a sterling defensive performance and also raised the roof with the only dunk of the game.

Gort Community School claimed the Under-16 C Girls trophy with a 42-15 win over St Nathy’s College of Ballaghaderreen.