Echo Sports Team of the Month January 2017 – Loreto College Crumlin

By Stephen Leonard

LORETO College Crumlin’s Under 19B Girls Basketball team made it two All-Ireland titles in as many years after they beat Gort Community School in this season’s decider in the National Basketball Arena.

Given that this school is the one of the smallest in the Loreto group and that they lack adequate training facilities, their girls basketball team has been punching above its weight in recent years.

Indeed their All-Ireland title match was one of four finals contested by the team this season, which saw them fall just short of the All-Ireland League.

In the cup decider Darren McGuiness’ charges were in control from the off, with fantastic performances from MVP Claire Quinn Nealon and Niamh and Ciara White proving crucial for the team.

Impresssive defensive displays confined their opponents to just five points during the second quarter, while the Dubliners stretched their lead 27-12 by the halftime break.

Good scoring from Kate Tarpey and Ava Lynskey kept the scoreboard ticking over, but it was to be Loreto’s day as Devlin, Niamh White and Nealon demonstrated skill, talent and flair to secure them a memorable victory.