Glanmire sparkle on Leeside’s night to remember

Anyone who has been to Upper Glanmire or the UL Sports Arena to watch the two most dominant forces in women’s basketball tussle each other won’t have been as wide-eyed as the casual observer, held in thrall by UL Huskies and Glanmire at the National Basketball Arena last night.

However, even for hoops evangelists, last night’s overtime cup final was an affirmation of how far the women’s game has advanced in this country.

James Weldon’s UL side lost no face in defeat. Their inside power, delivered by Aoife McDermott and Loretta Maher, waned in the last quarter and the five minute extra period. Not surprising given they were doing the chasing on the scoreboard for most of the night. Though their bid for a third successive cup success came up shy, they have done the game a huge service with the level of detail and preparation Weldon and his players has brought to the table. It isn’t certain the Killarney man will be around to bring them into next season, and if he is not, the Huskies may find themselves in an unwelcome rebuilding process.