Swords Thunder storm to victory in Castleisland

GCD Swords Thunder 37 UL Eagles 24: GCD Swords Thunder put fellow Premier League side UL Eagles to the sword in the Premier Men’s Final of the 46th St Mary’s Castleisland Blitz, played in front of a full house at the local community centre.

Swords Thunder had knocked out local side Killorglin earlier in the evening 56-52, and their up-tempo run and gun game proved too much for a UL side which relied too much on perimeter shooting, and they missed too many efforts from three-point land.

Isaac Westbrooks’ controlled the offence for Thunder, with Alex Dolenko draining an early three while the game’s MVP, Mike Garrow, drove to the hoop for some excellent baskets.

Staats Battle dropped in a three for UL, and the experienced Rob Lynch cut the deficit to 13-9 with 1.50 left in the half.

However, a deuce from Dan Nelms, and three from the free throw line, saw Swords Thunder lead 18-9 at half-time.

Two three-point plays at the start of the second half from Rob Lynch and Andrew Dawson cut UL’s deficit to 18-15, but a Mike Garrow three-point play for Swords pushed them eight clear again.

Two three-pointers from Diarmuid O’Shea and Staats Battle, saw UL close the gap to 25-21, with Nelms scoring a fade away jumper for Thunder and with 4.20 left, an exciting finish looked on the cards.

However, Swords Thunder took over as Garrow, Westbrooks, and Alex Dolenko from the charity line, helped push their side 36-21 clear and they ran out comfortable winners, despite a late O’Shea three for UL.

MVP:

Mike Garrow (Swords Thunder) Top Scorers:

Swords Thunder:

M Garrow 14, A Dolenko 14, I Westbrooks 5:

UL Eagles:

S Battle and D O’Shea 6 each, R Lynch 5.