Templeogue Under 13s unable to defy the odds

TEMPLEOGUE were unable to defy the odds when they encountered a high-flying Liffey Celtics side in the Dublin Girls’ Cup Under-13 Final, losing out 39-16 at the Oblate Hall, Inchicore on Sunday, writes Aidan Crowley.

Despite suffering a heavy defeat, Templeogue managed to put up a brave performance in the face of a relentless onslaught from Celtics over the four quarters.

Top scorer for Templeogue captain, Ashley Finn, bagged four points, while working hard to try and keep the Liffey Celtics tide at bay for Templeogue in the first and second quarters, were Sarah Howard and Doireann Doyle along with Ava Darcy and Charlotte McDonald.

Liffey, however, upped the ante in the third, when their two top scorers, Alannah Reilly and Niamh O’ Leary, planted 12 and 10 points apiece.

Adding to Templeogue’s woes was the enforced retirement of main point guard, Shauna Finn, in the third quarter, due to injury, which put a major dent in the south Dublin side’s plan of attack.

Thereafter, it was all one-way traffic, as Celtics piled on the pressure, as they relentlessly netted basket after basket, to finish the match as emphatic winners.

Bernie Darcy, Templeogue Girls’ Under-13’s coach said afterwards: “Unfortunately we didn’t perform to our strengths. Liffey Celtics are a very well organised side and have a lot of very tall players.

“This Templeogue team is capable of playing much better and really didn’t do themselves justice.”