Hoop dreams come true for Ennistymon school

ENNISTYMON Vocational School emerged as tournament winners in the three-team Clare basketball tournament at Ennistymon on Tuesday.
They now go on to regional level to face teams from the rest of the North Munster area at a date to be decided.
The afternoon tournament was keenly contested and all games were unpredictable right up to the final quarter.

Ennistymon VS 29   Ennis Community College 20

AFTER a sluggish, low-scoring first quarter Ennistymon found their feet and with Roma Byrne pitching in with six points they held a 12-8 half-time advantage.
Ennis came storming back in the third quarter with strong play from Sean Weir and Badr Jdair. John Dillon took more control at that point for Ennistymon and with Skerritt and McNulty rebounding well, Ennistymon edged ahead 29-20 at the end.

Ennistymon VS 43   Kilrush CS 39

ENNISTYMON had to play back-to-back games and Kilrush looked sharper and more aggressive working the fast break to telling effect with Cian Murray, Conor Downes, and Kevin Looney combining well.
Kilrush were the more physical team and held a rebounding edge, despite the best efforts of Byrne and McNulty. Byrne supplied 10 points up to the half and Ennistymon trailed 24-17 and looked stretched.
In the third quarter, they cut off the Kilrush fast break. John Dillon put in his best quarter of the game in and Kilrush had problems coping with his penetrating drives. This, in turn, opened up the wing and Kieran McCormack found his range with a 12-point contribution, which include two three-pointers.
Ennistymon outscored Kilrush 19-6 in this quarter and this was the game’s turning point. They lost the hardworking Dylan Skerritt with an injury but Jack Fitzgerald tried hard when he was introduced. Cian Murray continued to be a handful for the North Clare team with strong drives and a three-pointer to close the Kilrush scoring at 39 points. Byrne and Dillon put further distance between the teams and Ennistymon were winners on a 43-39 scoreline.

Kilrush CS 20   Ennis CC 19

BOTH teams showed the effects of the two previous games and the pace was not that of the opening games. Ennis had a two-point half time advantage 8-6 with Badr Jdair on 6 points and Ennis looking the more composed team.
Cian Murray was again the main Kilrush threat and put 7 points on the board in the third quarter including a spectacular 3 pointer from just inside the half way line on the buzzer, giving them a 17-15 lead going into the final quarter. Energy levels were low again and a one point cushion was all Kilrush could manage leaving them 20-19 winners.