Dwyers deliver for Montenotte
The semi-final between Team Montenotte and DCU Mercy drew a near capacity attendance and was eagerly awaited as the Dublin side had already defeated their Cork opponents back in October.
Both teams concentrated on defence in the opening quarter, after which Team Montenotte led 13-12.
Despite some great defending, both teams missed clear opportunities and in a low scoring quarter a late Lindsay Peat basket ensured DCU led by the minimum at the break, 24-23.
The game opened up in the third period and with the Dwyer sisters, Gráinne and Niamh, more influential in offence, Montenotte led by eight points in the 25th minute.
DCU battled back, however, mainly through the shooting of American Megan Hoffman. Still, Montenotte were still in pole position entering the final quarter with a four point lead.
The atmosphere coming down the stretch was electric as Montenotte, backed by the home support, found another gear with Gráinne Dwyer nailing three consecutive baskets.
Every time DCU threatened a revival Montenotte’s Croatian post player, Tomica Bacic, stopped them with some incredible defence and rebounding.
In the closing minutes Montenotte scored at will as DCU exited tamely.
Montenotte coach Andrea Congreaves paid tribute to her players afterwards. “We had to work hard because DCU are a very good side and our fitness stood to us. But remember no trophies were handed out today and now we must face the might of UL in the final.”
The second semi-final between UL Huskies and WIT Wildcats was a one-way affair as the Limerick side ran out comfortable 85-46 winners.
At the end of the opening quarter UL commanded a 13-point lead. And Wildcats could only muster up five points in the second period as UL raced into an unassailable 54-16 interval lead.
It was a case of going through the motions in the second-half for the Shannonsiders as coach James Weldon reflected on his team’s professional performance.
“I was surprised Wildcats failed to show up as they are a better side than the scoreline suggests,” he said.
Cork side Brunell had double joy in the Women’s U18 and U20 semi-finals.
Brunell showed their true class when defeating Dublin side Oblate Dynamos 73-50, having laid the foundation with a clinical first half display that saw them lead 42-23 at the interval.
It was much the same in the U20 semi-final as Brunell defeated Meteors of Dublin 72-45. Once again the Cork side took care of proceedings in the opening half when they raced into a 30-point lead.
Head coach Kieran O’Leary is looking forward to another weekend of cup final action. “We have worked hard to make this happen and it would be a dream come true to complete the double in these grades,” O’Leary said.
Fellow Cork side Glanmire will be Brunell’s final opponents in the U18 final following their surprise 61-46 win over DCU Mercy.
Killester booked their final spot in the U20 Women’s final following a thrilling 63-54 win over fellow Dublin club DCU Mercy.
Oblate Dynamos made up for the disappointment of losing their U18 semi-final when they defeated Galway side NUIG Mystics in a thrilling Senior Women’s clash.
Dynamos looked comfortable at the break when they led 42-33. Despite a late revival, time was not on the westerners’ side as the Drimnagh club held out for a hard earned 68-63 win.
The all- Kerry semi final in the Senior Women’s saw the honours go to Tralee Imperials when they defeated Castleisland side St Mary’s 68-48.
Imperials led 37-25 at the break and, with Emma Sherwood and Sinead Mackessy in shooting form, there was no way back for St Mary’s.
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