Killester end UL's streak

Basketball National Cup finals/ Killester 57 UL Aughinish 53: Two years and two months of refusing to lose ended rather tamely for UL Aughinish yesterday.

It was unfortunate that this was also the first time their talents were aired live on national television, but, in mitigation, the run has gone on for longer than expected.

Killester broke one of the most extraordinary winning steaks in Irish sport, but today the focus will switch to the sides' Superleague re-acquaintance next week - in Limerick no less.

The pressure has been mounting on the shoulders of this remarkable Limerick team for some time. They were going for a "three-peat" - i.e., a league and cup double three times over.

Instead, Killester reclaimed the crown they first captured in 2002 in spine-tingling fashions.

"I think the pressure they were carrying told there," said Limerick coach Tony Hehir, "they were very nervous.

"But we still have the league. I think something like that has been building up for a very long time - and with so many other good teams in our league.

"Today, we never got going. Changing Americans during the year was very disruptive - they (Killester) have had the same team throughout the season. Hopefully, we can get back to winning next week."

Killester's strrong showing in the fourth quarter gave them a merited victory, despite the best efforts of UL captain Jillian Aherne.

Aherne cajoled her team-mates into one last stand, but the seminal moments came from MVP Catriona White.

The contest needed a spark of inspiration, so naturally the crowd waited for the country's best player, Michelle Aspell, to step up. However, Aspell was suffocated by the country's best defence, leaving the stage open for White to produce a stunning scoring display down the stretch.

Nessa O'Keeffe looked to have supplied the back breaker when she gave UL a five-point advantage with just over six minutes remaining. They have been closing out games like these for three seasons, but yesterday Killester simply refused to bend.

Gillian Morris reduced arrears with an excellent double from the free-throw line before White levelled it at 48-48 with a three-pointer that left the contest resting on a knife edge.

UL's strength is to hit teams just after they post a big basket, but this time Suzanne Maguire cut out the counter punch. Then White came strong once more with two successive baskets, the second after another Maguire steal.

At this point, players like Carmel Kissane and Ashley Luke stood up in their defensive duties.

A full three minutes remained, a lifetime in basketball, but bizarrely UL appeared to panic. Little things went against them as, except for Aherne, their natural calmness dissolved.

Aspell missed a vital shot from the free-throw line, while Kissane pick-pocketed Jamaican international Syreeta Bromfield before an attack even began.

At least they showed the mark of champions in defeat, as victory was no means guaranteed until Luke's single from the free-throw with 11 seconds remaining.

TOP SCORERS: UL Aughinish: Nessa O'Keeffe 16, Michelle Aspell 13, Dearbhla Breen 13. Killester: Catriona White 13, Suzanne Maguire 10, Ashley Luke/Gillian Morris 9.