Women’s BIDL League R5
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 66
Ballincollig 44
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors kept their interest in the Women’s BIDL very much alive with a comprehensive 66-44 win over Ballincollig in Mercy Mounthawk yesterday. The Warriors led at the end of all four quarters and controlled the game throughout with an outstanding all-court display from Louise Galvin and an impressive return to action from Muireann Teahan helping the Tralee side to see out the win in some style.
The Warriors started with real intent and quickly built a 10-5 lead with Priya O’Donovan on the mark from distance and Louise Galvin and Kelly Fitzgerald opening their accounts. A major score from Sorcha Cronin got Ballincollig on the board and when Holly Kerins followed her lead the gap was down to 2 midway through the quarter. Lilly Wheelock and Sally Palmer added for the visitors before Aisling Counihan and Rachel Creedon both struck from beyond the arc to see Warriors lead 19-14 at quarter time.
A huge defensive effort from the Warriors saw them all but shut out Ballincollig in the second quarter while at the other end the scores rained down on the visitors basket. Lucy O’Donnell began the onslaught followed quickly by Muireann Teahan’s first of the day. Emily Flynn was in range from outside and another from Orla O’Mahony kept the volley going before a double each from Louise Galvin and Priya O’Donovan spread the game completely. Ballincollig could only summon up two scores from Sorcha Cronin and Lilly Wheelock and at half time the Warriors were up by double scores 38-19.
Ballincollig to their credit upped their performance in the third and a double from Wheelock and a basket from Donovan kept them in the game. However Louise Galvin was on the mark again and when Mary Kate Smith added her name to the tally, the Warriors still led by 17. A quickfire six points from Muireann Teahan and a tough finish from Rachel Creedon pushed the Warriors almost out of sight but a late double from Donovan cut the gap down to 50-29 at the end of the third.
The visitors pared back the Warriors advantage early in the final quarter with a major from Tara Donnellan and another score from Donovan but the hosts fired back with interest with Emily Flynn, Rachel Creedon and a double from Muireann Teahan combining to settle the contest. Donovan and Donnellan added again for the Cork side but the Warriors finished the game with a flourish with baskets from Orla O’Mahony, Louise Galvin, Mary Kate Smith and Gracie O’Sullivan capping a dominant display from the Warriors that sealed their third win in the competition by 66-44 in the end.
Scorers:
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Louise Galvin 14, Muireann Teahan 12, Priya O’Donovan 7, Rachel Creedon 7
Ballincollig: Caoimhe Donovan 13, Tara Donnellan 11, Lilly Wheelock
Next up for Warriors is their final game of the group stage with an away trip to take on Fr. Mathews in the Fr. Mathews Arena, Cork on Saturday 21st February with tip off at 7.30pm
Thanks to Liam Ryan for the images.