Oblates Kill-ester to secure Senior One Cup in thrilling showdown
By Ciaran O’Doherty
OBLATE Dynamos Senior One women’s team won a thrilling Senior Cup Final after over-time at the Dublin Ladies Board Cup Finals in Inchicore last weekend, reports Ciaran O’Doherty.
An end-to-end game saw both teams finish level after regulation, but after five minutes of over-time Oblates ran out 4 point winners 67-71 over Killester.
It was an even start to the game with both teams trading scores back and forth, however, Oblates started to pull away near the end of the first quarter with scoring from Jennifer Sheehan and Alison Keech forcing Killester into an early first half time-out.
The time-out didn’t stop Oblates momentum though as they finished the quarter strong leading 20-13.
The first half pattern continued with Oblates keeping their opponents at bay while also adding to their lead in the second. Scores came from all over the floor with substitutions from both teams coming in and keeping the fast-paced game moving well. The quarter came to an end with Oblates adding to their first quarter tally to lead at the half 26-37.
Focus and chip away
Killester knew they would have to focus and chip away at the score in the second half if they were to get back into this Senior Cup Final. Catriona White and Mae Creane hit vital shots in the third to get the northside team back in the game, while the team stepped up on the defensive end to allow Oblates only 6 points in the third quarter. Killester had clawed the deficit back to go into the fourth quarter only 2 points behind (41-43).
An end to end fourth quarter saw both teams trade the lead time and time again with free-throws proving to be vital in this thrilling encounter. Both teams ended over the foul limit meaning every foul would result in a trip to the free-throw line, both teams held their nerve hitting shot after shot to end this match in a draw and send the bout to over-time.
It was Oblates who would gain the lead in the extra period and not look back taking their lead right to end of the game. Killester were forced to foul resulting in Ellie Thornton and Jennifer Sheehan icing the game from the free-throw line to seal the victory for Oblates.
Coach Terry Staunton was delighted by the performance of his side in the final, “I was very happy with our overall team performance, we defended as a unit and got off to a great start but knew Killester would reel us back in, that’s why they’re top of the league and have won the last 5 cup finals.”
He also took a minute to compliment the Oblate faithful in attendance, “The crowd got us over the line in the end, a wonderful day for the girls and the whole club.”
It was a great step for Oblates season and they will be hoping to carry momentum into getting to the Top Four Finals at the end of April.
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