Step up is seamless for Murphy’s Muredach’s
James O'Boyle gave a supreme performance for St Muredach's College as they stormed to victory over St Mel's College of Longford, in Ballina, last Thursday. Picture: INPHO/Ben Brady
History was made in Ballina last Thursday when St Muredach’s College reached the All-Ireland Schools U19 Boys ‘A’ semi-finals for the first time with a convincing win over St Mel’s College, Longford.
The victory was all the more impressive given the 32-point winning margin. By half-time, it was 39-19 in favour of Muredach’s and for a team with the tradition and reputation of St Mel’s at this level of basketball, it was a big ask for the Moyside lads – but they rose magnificently to the occasion.
The offence will get much credit but Muredach’s defensive performance was excellent too, conceding only three fouls in the first-half. St Mel’s scored no more than 11 points in each of the first three quarters and were it not for some stunning three-pointers by their star man David Maher, the margin could have been much greater.
“We expected a hard game and we got it. The scoreboard might not say that but it was tough, at least tough for three and a bit quarters anyway, you know,” said head coach Barry Murphy afterwards.
“The game kind of died in the last three or four minutes, but we’re very pleased. That's the first time in the history of the school now we're playing in an ‘A’ semi-final. That’s unbelievable character again shown by a team that last year won a double with an under-17 and a half team.
“They're a great bunch of fellas, a marvellous bunch of players. I'm 35 years coaching in the school and they've just been a phenomenal bunch of young lads,” added Murphy.
“The old adage is you've got to win the game playing good defence. If you look after the defence and do it right, the offence will look after itself. 80% of the game can be won on the defence, we won that today, no doubt about it. We had only three fouls in the first-half, which was incredible at under-19 level, which is all go, as you saw yourselves, up and down, up and down, up and down.”
St Mel’s began the first quarter brightly, with three pointers by Maher and Patrick Clancy establishing an 8-6 lead but the visitors wouldn’t register another score until a minute into the second quarter. Mark Cunningham, who finished as top scorer with 30 points, opened his account with a three while James O’Boyle, Brian Donoghue and Nathan Roddy piled on the misery in a relentless attacking display to see last year’s U19 ‘B’ league and cup champions lead 26-8.
St Muredach’s were not as prolific in the second quarter but a water-tight defence kept St Mel’s at bay. Despite a trio of three pointers through Clancy, Maher and Gus Sevcuns, one more basket by Patrick Garland was all they could muster as Cunningham, Donoghue, Roddy and Cian Morrison all pointed as Muredach’s edged the second quarter 13-11.
Conor Bourke and Brian Donoghue hit wonderful threes in the third quarter as Muredach’s pulled away further to effectively end this game as a contest. James O’Boyle and Donoghue were the stars for the hosts. While Maher did his best to keep St Mel’s in the game, Muredach’s led 60-30 going into the final eight-minute period.
The game opened up in the final quarter and to their credit, Mel’s produced some sparkling play. Maher hit four three-pointers while Patrick Garland, Mesach Manzambi and Kelvin Aleosun combined for Mel’s biggest points tally (21) but Muredach’s own starman Mark Cunningham nailed a dozen of Muredach’s 23 points in the final quarter to cap off an impressive win.
Barry Murphy lauded the impact that Cunningham and Nathan Roddy are having, with the experience of playing high-level basketball with Team Merry Monk Ballina.
“The lads playing National League, at under-18 and under-20, and playing senior is standing to them over the past 12 or 18 months. They don't have a lot of fear. They're not cocky but they're a confident bunch. Not afraid to take anyone on.”
St Muredach’s will play the semi-final in Tallaght on December 13.
St Muredach’s: Cian Morrison (13), Alan Birrane, Darragh Bourke, Conor Bourke (3), Sam O’Connell, Patrick Carr, Nathan Roddy (16) , Rory Mahoney, Mark Cunningham (30), Joe O’Boyle, James O’Boyle (6), Brian Donoghue (15).
St Mel’s College: Francis Nwankwo, Eoin Connolly, Patrick Clancy (7), Senan McWeeney, David Maher (26), Gus Sevcuns (8), Mesach Manzambi (3), Kelvin Aleosun (2), Dara Kelly, Patrick Garland (4), Luke Shepard, Enda Quinn.
