Mercy Waterford claim Pinergy Schools U19 A Girls Cup with 61-26 win over Loreto Abbey Dalkey
Mercy Waterford proved too strong for Loreto Abbey Dalkey in the Pinergy All-Ireland Schools Cup U19 A Final, as they ran out 61-26 victors in the final, played at the National Basketball Arena. It was a standout performance from Mercy Waterford's captain Sarah Hickey, who bagged 30 points in the game.
Loreto Abbey who were first on the board after tip-off, with Maria Reynolds scoring a big three. Mercy Waterford took control of the game after this however, as Sarah Hickey began her scoring crusade with a pair of free throws following a foul. Ailbhe Ryan answered this with a layup, which Illana Fitzgerald then responded to in kind. Sarah Hickey was responsible for all of Mercy Waterford's scoring in the rest of this quarter, totalling 13 points for the period. Good defence from Mercy forced a shot clock violation for Loreto Dalkey in the latter half of the quarter. Scores from Giulia Anderlini and Ciara Dunne kept Loreto Dalkey in the game, but they still trailed by six as the quarter finished, 9-15.
The second quarter was dominated by Mercy Waterford, as they doubled their tally in this period. A layup from Sarah Hickey opened the scoring in the quarter, followed by a free throw and a second layup. Loreto Abbey Dalkey made several attempts for 3’s in the quarter, and were unlucky not to score more. Sinead Cagney had a pair of free throws converted for Loreto Abbey, and Sarah scored an offensive rebound, as the Dublin school looked to remain in the game. Orla Dullaghan, Caitlin Gloeckner and Illana Fitzgerald helped to build Mercy's lead, as they went into half-time leading 30-13.
The third quarter opened with some brilliant defensive play from both sides, with the ball moving end-to-end with little scoring and rebounds and steals aplenty. Sarah Hickey kicked off the scoring once again in this quarter with a pair of free throws. A defensive rebound for Mercy Waterford was converted by Ardiana Shallci, with the assist from Caitlin Gloeckner. Ailbhe Ryan responded with an impressive hook shot for Loreto Abbey Dalkey. The quarter was finished out by Orla Dullaghan, who scored three free throws in a row, giving Mercy Waterford a comfortable 50-19 margin going into the final quarter.
Gloeckner was first on the board in the last quarter, hitting a big three. Maria Reynolds for Loreto Dalkey was impressive in the final quarter, initiating much of their offensive play, getting a rebound and slotting home a fadeaway basket in the process. An impressive score for Mercy Waterford came from Tara Freeman, a three-pointer with three minutes left in the game, which Lily Egan responded to with a similar three, assisted by Emilie Harney-Casey. Mercy Waterford ran out the clock in the end, to finish with a 61-26 success.
Quarter Scores: Q1: 9-15, Q2: 4-15 Q3: 6-20, Q4: 7-11
Top scorers:
Loreto Abbey Dalkey: Ailbhe Ryan 8, Maria Reynolds 5, Lily Egan 5
Mercy Waterford: Sarah Hickey 30, Caitlin Gloeckner 12, Orla Dullaghan 8
Loreto Abbey Dalkey: Sinead Cagney (2), Maria Reynolds (5), Sarah Dunne (2), Ciara Dunne (2), Emilie Harney-Casey, Joanne Dunne, Ailbhe Ryan (8), Aine Marmion, Giulia Anderlini (2), Lydia Rice, Ciara Evans, Lily Egan (5)
Mercy Waterford: Sarah Hickey (30), Caitlin Gloeckner (12), Illana Fitzgerald (4), Ardiana Shallci (4), Tara Freeman (3), Orla Dullaghan (8), Leah Dunphy, Mia Dunphy, Lauren Collins, Bethany Doyle Power, Rachel Byrne
