Killester and UL renew rivalry in women’s final
UL beat Mustang Sally’s/St. Paul’s from Killarney 68-44 to qualify for a fifth successive final while Killester overcame Carna Transport Mercy, Coolock 78-62.
UL Aughinish went into last evening’s semi-final in an unusual position.
“We have always come here as favourites this weekend we are the underdogs,” said coach Tony Hehir. “That’s an unusual position for us to be in but I think the fact that there is no pressure on us is working to our advantage. I mean we have been beaten by all the other semi-finalists already this season.”
This time, however, they never looked in trouble as they took control from the outset. Michelle Aspell was in sparkling form. One of the most exciting players to grace the Women’s Superleague, her contribution was reflected in a game high of 23 points but she got huge support from Courtney McDaniel from Tennessee who had 16 points and a phenomenal 28 rebounds.
The awesome presence of McDaniel left Mustang Sallys, appearing in the semi-final for the third successive year, struggling under the boards. They trailed 18-10 at the end of the first quarter but came back to outscore UL 15-13 to trail by six at half-time.
UL were stronger, quicker and more direct in the third quarter with Aspell and Jillian Ahern scoring some big baskets and McDaniel doing all the tidying up under the boards. They outscored the opposition by 11 points to go into the fourth quarter with a comfortable lead, 50-33.
“It was good to win and get to another final,” said Hehir. “It is important for us because we are rebuilding at the moment. We got the junior team through to that final as well and they are all players who have come through the programme so it is good to see that happening.
“We were not the favourites here today and won’t be the favourites in the final but we can accept that. There won’t be as much pressure on us. Dervla Breen was back training this week and we expect to have her back in the team for the final so that should give us a boost.”
Captain Diane Griffin, a former schoolgirls international, top scored for Mustang Sallys with 13 points while their American, Monica Peterson, who graduated from University of Maine last year, hit nine.
Carna Transport Mercy threatened an upset when they held Killester to two points - 17-15 for the first quarter but, with Sue Altman outstanding, Killester led 40-35 at half-time and never looked back.
They enjoyed a 16 point lead at the end of the third quarter (59-43) and Mercy were stretched to the limit just to stay in touch. They cut the margin to nine points five minutes into the fourth quarter but with less than three and a half minutes remaining it was up to 16 (71-55) with Mercy deep in foul trouble.
Altman ended up on 35 points, Orla Dempsey had 15 and Catriona White scored 10 while for Mercy Lindsay Peat had 17, Tracy Gahan 15 and Sharyn Kelly 11.
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