Creane helps Ireland Under 16 girls bring home Dussman Cup

AN EMPHATIC 67-31 point victory over Austria completed the march to the International Dussman Cup for Ireland Under 16 girls basketball team in Mersch, Luxembourg.

The squad, which included Oblate Dynamos’ Mae Creane, subsequently made it three wins from three having previously beaten hosts Luxembourg and European ‘A’ side the Netherlands.

Creane, a young shooting guard, has been one of the star performers for the Dynamos Under 16 squad and has even lined out with the club’s Under 18 outfit this season.

Sunday’s win over Austria marked their 13th in a row ahead of competing in Division ‘B’ of the European Championships in Macedonia this August.

Andy Gill’s side restricted Austria to just 11 points in the opening period as they applied a full-court press to take control of the game.

With the score at 51-20 heading into the final quarter, the full bench was given court time and 11 players ended up on the scoresheet with Ireland forcing 33 turnovers and claiming 16 steals throughout the 40 minutes.

Head Coach Andy Gill said: “Austria had beaten Luxembourg so this was a game we couldn’t take lightly.

“It was about proving that we could maintain the same level of intensity and competitiveness.

“We struggled to put the ball in the basket in the first half but displayed far better control and decision making in the second half.

“This has been an excellent experience for this group of players and we hope we can carry this momentum into the European Championships.”

Meanwhile Ireland’s Under 16 Men finished runners-up in their respective competition which saw them make a bright start by beating Luxembourg 89-74.

Yet Paul Kelleher’s side, which included Sean Daly of Templeogue, suffered defeat in their remaining two games, the first of which was against a strong Dutch side.

That encounter left them understrength for a final day clash with Tunisia, but they did take the North Africans to overtime before going down 75-67.