Second title for Iosagain

Schools' Basketball: Schools from Dublin, Limerick, Tipperary and Donegal were victorious at the first day of the All-Ireland League finals, played at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght yesterday.

In the Cadette A final, the Under-16 girls from Coláiste Íosagáin in Stillorgan defeated Presentation Listowel 54-45, for what was the school's second All-Ireland title of the season.

The Íosagaín senior side had won the Senior Cup last month, and 18 points from Susan Ní Fhogartaigh and an MVP performance from Lauren Ní Dhubhshlaine helped the Dublin girls to keep their noses in front throughout yesterday's contest.

In the Senior B final, the double threat poised by Sorcha Holmes and Rebecca Fitzgerald proved to be too much for Coláiste Cholmcille of Ballyshannon to handle, as Salesians Limerick took the title 57-42.

Holmes and Fitzgerald scored 37 points between them in a game that Salesians had well and truly wrapped up after the third quarter, when they held a 48-24 lead.

In the opening game of the day, Loreto Clonmel staged a great, fourth-quarter rally to defeat Monaghan Collegiate by a 31-28 scoreline to capture the Senior C title.

With just two minutes remaining Monaghan were leading 28-24, but then a Freva Dolan basket sparked a late Clonmel rally that helped them to snatch the victory.

Finally, in the Cadette C final, Ryisa Gillespie was in inspired form as she helped Loreto Letterkenny to a 27-21 victory over Cross and Passion College.

The finals continue today.