Cup joy for classy Donoughmore

SINGLETONS SV Donoughmore produced a magnificent performance to win the Senior Women’s National Cup title after a thrilling final on Saturday.

The Cork side — despite winning the title last season — were rank outsiders, as St Paul’s hammered them in a league meeting.

The opening quarter was scrappy with Donoughmore more controlled and they enjoyed a 10-7 lead by the fifth minute. The Killarney outfit continued to shoot from distance before Marisa Galway found her range and cut the gap to two (12-10) entering the second period.

The second quarter was a poor affair, though Donoughmore’s Rachael Vanderwal finished well as the Cork side held a 33-28 lead, Galway keeping her side in touch with some impressive efforts.

The third quarter was more competitive, with Galway still the main scoring threat. The game hung in the balance after Catriona O’Connell cut the deficit to 40-39 after five minutes.

Donoughmore looked in trouble when Vanderwal was penalised with her fourth foul three minutes from the end of the quarter, which saw the Canadian replaced.

The north Cork side held a 48-47 lead entering the final period before Kerry coach James Fleming was ejected, receiving his second technical foul after a verbal disagreement with the match officials. Donoughmore showed their class and with Vanderwal receiving the MVP for the second consecutive year they ran out comfortable winners.

Donoughmore coach Wayne Kiely admitted: “Too many people wrote us off but we showed today the outstanding talent that we have throughout our team.”