Muredach’s make All-Ireland final with important win
St Muredach's College will play Presentation De La Salle College in the All-Ireland final.
All-Ireland U19B Boys Semi-Final
St Muredach’s 65
Coláiste Chú Chulainn (Dundalk) 61
At the National Arena, Dublin
St Muredach’s basketball team booked their place in the schools first basketball All-Ireland final since 2007 with an entertaining 65-61 win over Coláiste Chú Chulainn in the national arena in Dublin last Tuesday.
Eight players play their basketball with Ballina Braves which is a brilliant sign of progress for the club and school.
In an explosive first quarter, Mark Cunningham and Nathan Roddy had 16 of the 21 points that St Muredach’s scored (eight each) as the Ballina boys led 21-16 against their Dundalk opponents. Roddy’s mid-range shooting, and Cunninghams layups while attacking the opposition basket were key in a strong opening.
Brian O’Donoghue started the second quarter well for Muredach’s, sinking a big three-pointer early on. He would end the quarter with five points as Mark Cunningham got himself another six at the rim, and Bryan Morrison made his third three pointer of the contest as his distance shooting was spacing the floor perfectly, leaving it 40-21 in favour of Muredach’s at half-time.
James O’Boyle got his second bucket of the game to compliment some solid free-throw shooting from Brian O’Donoghue and Mark Cunningham but a late rally from their opponents Chú Chulainn saw their lead to cut to 12 at 49-37 when the game entered the final quarter.
A very tight fourth quarter was made intense and tight by the Louth-based school but the Ballina lads, who had made no subs throughout the duration of the game, held on well courtesy of more key O’Donoghue free-throws, a Nathan Roddy layup and Cunningham’s free-throw.
A big block in the last minute from James O’Boyle was another highlight and Cunningham also had four blocks and two steals throughout, and club-mate Nathan Roddy also got a couple steals showing how locked in the team were defensively.
The final will take place in January, where they will take on Presentation De La Salle College.
St Muredach’s: Mark Cunningham (20pts), Nathan Roddy (13pts), Bryan Morrison (14pts), Brian O’Donoghue (14pts), James O’Boyle (4pts).
