Basketball/All-Ireland Schools' Cup finals: Coláiste Íosagáin retained their Under-19A Girls' title yesterday as the All-Ireland Schools' Cup finals got under way at the National Arena in Tallaght.
The all-Irish speaking school from Stillorgan were up against Mercy Heights of Skibbereen, and the Cork outfit took a 13-9 first-quarter lead.
This was courtesy of Sinead Ennis.
But Coláiste Íosagáin kept their opponents quiet for a significant period after that.
Indeed Mercy Heights, trailing 29-27 at the break, were held scoreless for a full four minutes after the break during which time Coláiste Íosagáin capitalised from the free throw line to go nine points up.
And although Siobhán Courtney managed to keep Mercy Heights in contention with a long basket, Coláiste Íosagáin countered with a timely basket from Susan Ní Fhogartaigh on the buzzer handing Coláiste Íosagáin a 42-35 lead at the end of the third quarter.
And Coláiste Íosagáin then put their opponents beyond reach with a very valuable contribution from Sinead Nic Gearailt handing them a 56-42 victory.
In the Boys' Under-16B final, all five of the Templeogue College forwards got their names on the score sheet in the first quarter as they defeated High School.
In the other games, St Paul's, Oughterard, had an exciting victory over Coláiste Choilm of Ballincollig despite Ballincollig's persistent efforts to stay in touch in the Girls Cadette B affair.
And some heavy shooting from Patrick McGaharan and Luke Dick helped Lagan College to victory in the Boys Under-19C final.
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