Tough to callas Glanmire look to show no Mercy

THE Women’s SuperLeague final on Sunday afternoon (1.30pm) at the Mardyke Arena will feature two first-timers as Vienna Woods Glanmire and Carna Transport Mercy bid to win the title for a first time.

For both teams it is a huge occasion and for Glanmire it could be the perfect end to a dream season. From early on, Glanmire were being tipped as contenders for cup and league honours, while Mercy were also a team on everyone’s lips.

“It’s true that both teams were being tipped by the pundits but it’s one thing saying it and another thing doing it,” Glanmire coach Mark Scannell said. “But I have to say that this has been the most hard-working team I have ever worked with. They were always there for training, gave it everything and they always had a focus.

“As I see it, they have the perfect blend of youth and experience. I think signing Sinead Leahy was a huge bonus. We signed her for experience and then Michelle Fahey was another big signing.

“We had a lot of young players there and a lot of older players who had been around for a while, won nothing and were hungry for success. And I should pay tribute to Sean O’Regan because I inherited a fit and hugely-enthusiastic squad from him.

“The fact that there are two new teams in the final this year is great for women’s basketball. This game will be close, unlike the cup final in January. And it is all about the players because, ultimately, they will decide who wins the title.”

Mark Scannell and Mercy Coach, Mark Ingle, have been buddies for years and crossed paths as coaches in the men’s superleague. When the sides met a couple of weeks ago Mercy won, but Ingle admits that there is never going to be much between them, predicting an exciting final.

“We are improving with every game and if we play like we did against UL in the quarter-final, we will be very hard to beat,” he said.

“Glanmire have good players, especially Denise Walsh and Michelle Fahy, but we are well matched and this will be a tough mental and physical game.”

Mercy are without the services of Sharon Kelly, who has been out injured for the past two weeks, but coach Ingle is not concerned, as others have stepped up to take her place and the team is in good form.