Gortnor prevail after controversy

Basketball All-Ireland Schools' Cup finals: Yesterday's under-16 C Girls' final was high on drama with Gortnor Abbey of Crossmolina claiming a memorable, if rather controversial, overtime 39-38 win over Castlerea Community College at the National Arena, Tallaght.

Castlerea had gone to the line with 19 seconds remaining with Sinead Walsh converting one from two to put her team up by one.

Crossmolina then won two frees but after the clock had failed to stop and run down to zero, Castlerea were under the impression that they had the game won. There followed a premature invasion of the court by Castlerea supporters until order was eventually restored.

With 11 seconds still left on the clock, Gortnor Abbey's Kate Donohue converted one from two to take the game into overtime.

In the additional three minutes Deirdre Walsh was to turn in a big display for Gortnor with five points.

Nieve Ward countered with a basket before Elaine O'Hara answered with one free throw to put Crossmolina up by three.

Although Rachel Ryan got a late basket for Castlerea, it wasn't enough with Gortnor holding on.

The first game of the day saw Ballinrobe Community School just about hold off the challenge of Clonaslee Vocational school in the under-19 C contest.

Ballinrobe were on top in the first half as they opened up a 20-11 lead at the break. But Clonaslee produced a terrific second-half comeback with Sinead Sweeney bringing them back into the game. She had drawn her team level early in the second quarter before baskets from Ann Moran, Katie Walsh and Maura Connaghton opened up a gap of six in the last quarter.

Clonaslee finished strongly in the last quarter, however, with back-to-back baskets from Elizabeth Rigney cutting the deficit to two. Then, in the dying seconds, Sweeney went to the line for Clonaslee but was unable to convert.

The other two games saw Holy Cross College from Strabane capture the Boys' Under-19 C title with a 63-33 win over Wilson's Hospital.

The Holy Cross team, which featured Irish Under-16 international Stephen McGlynn, were in control in this game with McGlynn and the top scorer, Steven McGill, controlling the game.

In the Boys' Under-16 C final, Presentation College Bray produced a strong last quarter to defeat St Mary's CGB of Belfast 27-18.

RESULTS

GIRLS - Under-19 C: Ballinrobe Community School 41 (20) (K Walsh 15, A Morgan 12, A Vaughan 7), Clonaslee 39 (11) (S Sweeney 10, A Gorman 9, J Comerford 6). Under-16 C: Gortnor Abbey Crossmolina 39 (33) (16) (E Duffy 12), Castlerea Community School 38 (33) (19) ( J Higgins 13 points, N Ward 6, R Ryan 6). BOYS - Under-19 C: Holy Cross College Strabane 63 (35) (S McGill 19, S McGlynn 18, P Doherty 10 pts), Wilson's Hospital 33 (18) (I Mhlanga 10). Under-16 C: Presentation Bray 27 (10) (S McGrane 10) St Mary's CGB Belfast (S Finch 8).