Crusaders and St Colman’s come out on top in U-14 finals

The U-14 Clare basketball finals were held in Ennis last Saturday with over 140 boys and girls participating.
Clubs represented were Abbey Lakers Quin, Clarecastle Comets, Doora-Barefield Panthers, Cooraclare Bluestars, Kilrush Shamrocks, St Colman’s Gort and Ennistymon Cascaders and DC Vikings.
In the girls’ competition, there were some closely contested games during the play-off stages, including an exciting one-point win for Cooraclare over neighbours Kilrush. Despite winning all their matches in the play-offs, Cooraclare were denied a place in the final on points difference.

The final was contested by St Colman’s Gort and Ennistymon Cascaders. A close exciting game saw St Colman’s winning 13-10.

Sarah Dolan was outstanding for St Colman’s all day playing some great defence in the final. Also exceptional for St Colman’s were Olga Burke and Ciara Helebert with the vital final two scores coming from team captain Lisa Della Chiesa. The winners were coached by Pat Burke and Pauline Della Chiesa.

Lining out for St Colman’s were Ava Lynsky, Natasha Burke, Lisa Della Chiesa (captain), Kate Tarpey, Ciara Helebert, Edel Nolan, Olga Burke, Rebecca Smyth, Hannah Keenan, Roisin Clancy, Sarah Dolan, Rachel O’Connor, Claire Feeney, Therese Cummins, Laura Burke.

Clare Cascaders Ennistymon were represented by Karen Hillery, Ruth O’Halloran, Rebecca Leahy, Eibhlish O’Looney, Aoibhin Fahy, Sinead Hogan, Caoimhe Hogan, Brona Galvin Byrne, Catriona Buchholtz, Sadhbh O’Meara (capt), Emma Canavan. Their coach was Mary Gleeson.

Clare Cascaders Ennistymon played their rivals Cooraclare Bluestars in the boys final. When these teams met earlier in the league, only one point separated the sides with Cooraclare coming out on top on that occasion.
The final was to be Ennistymon’s day. There was an outstanding display from team captain Brendan Monaghan who was consistent throughout the game. Some vital scores came from Corran Breathnach with Cascaders winning on a scoreline of 26-18.

Lining out for Clare Cascaders Ennistymon were Connor Dillon, James Leigh, Ronan O’Connell, TJ O’Gorman, Luke Howley, Brendan Monaghan (capt), Corran Breathnach, Calium Burke, Oisin Turley, Cillian Devitt, Darragh Cuddihy, Charles Higgins. Their coach was Don Dillon.

Cooraclare Bluestars were represented by Luke Considine, Paidi Hehir, Diarmuid Donnellan, Tomas Browne, Patrick Kampff, Fergal Donnellan, Cian Edwards Murphy, Seanie McNamara, Davy Maclynn, Colin McNamara. They were coached by Ann McNamara.

The finalists were presented with a perpetual shield and medals by Irish international Jason Killeen of UL Eagles SuperLeague champions.

There are eight clubs in this league with almost 500 children playing basketball in the county. There are competitions in U-12, U-14 and U-16. These U-14 finals was the last event for this season.