Loreto have Gort what it takes

By Stephen Leonard

LORETO COLLEGE Crumlin powered their way to an impressive 38-57 point victory over Gort Community School in the SUBWAY All-Ireland Schools U19B Basketball Cup Final in the National Basketball Arena on Monday.

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.

Having won the U19C Girls League last year, the team had every reason to feel confident in stepping up to the U19B ranks this year.

And with strong performances throughout the team, they opened up an eight-point gap early on.

Yet it was not all one-way traffic, as Ciara Helebert performed superbly on both offence and defence and was the driving force behind Gort’s challenge.

Still Loreto continued to dominate as the second quarter got underway, and strong defensive displays confined their opponents to just five points during that period, while the Dubliners stretched their lead 27-12 by the halftime break.

Gort stepped up a gear in the third quarter three, with Helebert, Ava Lynskey and Olga Burke producing some great basketball.

However Niamh and Ciara White together with Reanne Devlin were determined not to let Loreto’s lead slide, and planted more points to help propel them ahead 42-22.

Gort continued to battle hard in the fourth, with Helebert leading the way.

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.

LORETO COLLEGE CRUMLIN: Chelsea Whelan, Rebecca Bohan, Ciara White (6), Niamh White (9), Reanne Devlin (16), Claire Quinn Nealon (28), Tara Brilly, Taylor Smith