Americans Vaile and Contreras star as Brunell claim bragging rights over rivals Glanmire
Glanmire's Annaliese Murphy stretches to block an advance by Brunell’s Alayna Contreras. Pic: Chani Anderson
Career Decisions UCC Glanmire 64 Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell 79
A magnificent display of basketball from Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell was sufficient for them to claim the bragging rights over Cork rivals UCC Glanmire in the Domino’s Women’s Super League at Upper Glanmire Sports complex on Thursday.
Glanmire brought in Inis Gnahore a French bosman on the eve of this clash but it made little difference as they were blown out of the water by their resurgent opponents.
Many heroes for the winners but in Americans Katherine Vaile (25) and Alayna Contreras (16) they had quality in their side with Edel Thornton and Danielle O’Leary also in tremendous form.
The opening quarter was all about the intensity that Brunell showed as they bossed their opponnets in many departments from the midway point of this period.
Credit to American Alayna Contreras and Edel Thornton they showed flashes of brilliance and with three minutes remaining in the quarter as the visitors surged into a 15-7 lead.
Credit to Glanmire they responded with American Tasia Jordan finding her shooting range and the sides were level with two minutes remaining.
Once again Brunell increased the intensity and late free throws from Danielle O’Leary ensured they went in with a healthy 25-17 lead entering the second period.
On the restart Brunell went on a serious scoring run and with Thornton continuing to show her class they surged into a 40-22 lead midway through this period.
Glanmire needed inspiration as this game was threatening to run away from them after trailing 40-21 midway the second quarter.
Playing far better defence they reduced the lead to nine points with three minutes remaining to the interval.
The Brunell American Katherine Vaile played some outstanding defence and rebounded as if her life depended on winning this game.
In the style of a classy team Brunell found their shooting mojo in the closing minutes and with Danielle O’Leary, Contreras and Vaile posing Glanmire all sorts of problems it was no surprise they went in at the break commanding a 48-32 lead.
Looking at the half time stats Glanmire were 5/16 outside the arc with Brunell on the identical average of 31%.
The Glanmire coach Mark Scannell has always prided himself on his defensive coaching and he needed all his experience to help his team get back in this game.
On the restart Glanmire’s tendency to turn the ball over hurt them and with Thornton stealing and assisting Brunell increased their lead to 20 points in the 24th minute.
The remainder of this period was scrappy but Brunell looked to be in the driving seat when commanding a 64-44 lead entering the final quarter.
Glanmire continued battled to the wire and a stunning three pointer from the returning Aine McKenna reduced the deficit to 14 points.
That’s as good as it got for them as on each occasion they threatened a rally Brunell responded with key baskets.
Make no mistake this was a crucial win for the Nellies as they look a side to be improving with every outing this season.
Glanmire will be disappointed with their overall performance but they can have few excuses as they were simply second best from start to finish.
T Jordan 27, E Jenkins 10, E Dunne 10, I Gnahore 9.
K Vaile 25, A Contreras 16, D O’Leary 11, E Thornton 10.
A McKenna, T Jordan, L Krol, K M O’Neill, A Murphy, M Furlong, K Quinlan, E Jenkins, E Dunne, I Gnahore, M Loughrey.
K Sexton, A Contreras, L Hannigan, A Walshe, M O’Leary, E Thornton, F Kyamagero, L Walsh, A Lyons, K Vaile, J Aherne, D O’Leary.
Emer Buckley (Killarney), Carolyn O’Mahony (Tralee).
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