Despite missing six players from their squad, Mungret Community College still had enough to edge out Calasanctius College 40-38 in a gripping All-Ireland Under 19A Girls Schools League Final in the National Basketball Arena on Wednesday.
The victory was made all the more sweet for the Limerick side given that they had suffered an equally narrow defeat at the hands of the same opposition in last month’s Under 19A Cup decider.
Mungret were off the mark when Abbey Nealon and Purtill each serve up a deuce, and they manage to maintain that early momentum despite Kate Burke getting in for a Calasanctius score.
Indeed, the Limerick side responded with nine unanswered points as Emer Purtill drained two free throws before Jade You, Méabh Purtill and Nealon struck from the floor, the latter serving up a sublime three.
Mungret managed to keep their opponents at bay throughout the second quarter as Méabh Purtill worked her way in on a couple more occasions and Nealon landed a big score from outside the arc.
A timely three by Jade You, along with a deuce from Maéve Purtill, prevented Mungret from buckling and saw them take a delicate 32-26 lead into the final period.
Emer Purtill chose a good moment to land her first effort from off the three-point line as Mungret again looked to steady the ship.
The Galway outfit worked desperately to try and win back possession in their bid to garner the chance to level the tie, but Mungret protected the ball vigorously, earning four free throws, one of which was converted by Emer Purtill before the clock ran down.
Delighted at seeing her side prevail in this decider, Mungret Community College head coach, Aoife Donovan said “We were missing six girls because of a school trip that was planned last year and we didn’t even know if we’d have enough to come and play.
“But we happened to have six who were able to come and they just managed to pull it out of the bag. They’re just brilliant.
“But this win is as much about the girls who are away at the moment as the six who are here today, because they’re such a tight-knit bunch.
“Cala’ are a fantastic side. They’ve won the cup and we’ve won the league. Some people might call this revenge, but, in a way, it was fair because the last game was so close as well. I’m just so happy we came out on the right side of it today” she said.
