
Basketball Ireland Womens Development League Round 4
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 53
Fr. Mathews 78
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors unbeaten run the League came to halt on Saturday when they succumbed to a well organised Fr. Mathews side by 78-53 at Mercy Mounthawk. The Warriors did start positively and in a well contested opening quarter set the early pace with scores from Holly O’Brien, Kelly Fitzgerald and a major effort from Aisling Counihan. Fr. Mathews replied in kind through Aine Fitzgerald, Alanna Braham and Abby Murphy but the Warriors kept their lead intact when O’Brien and Counihan combined again to edge the hosts 18-15 ahead at quarter time.
Fr. Mathews wrestled the lead back early in the second with scores from Niamh Braham, Amy Corkery and Moira Duffy while at the other end the Warriors were limited to a single score from Anna O’Sullivan, but when Niamh Collins knocked down a three pointer the sides were level at 27-27. However Fr. Mathews finished the quarter with a quartet of baskets from Chloe Ferris, Lynn O’Dwyer and a double from Abby Murphy to see them 35-30 to the good at half time.


The visitors went on an impressive and ultimately decisive run early in the third when they quickly built a double digit lead through Corkery, Niamh Braham and Abbie Jeffrey but the Warriors responded through O’Brien and an and one from Emily Flynn to cut the gap to 45-36 midway through the quarter. However Fr. Mathews continued to find the scores as they needed them and O’Dwyer, Jeffrey and a late double from Niamh Braham saw the Cork side bring a 57-42 lead into the final quarter.
A hat-trick of scores from Alanna Braham, Emmanuela Amayo and Jeffery for Fr. Mathews effectively settled the contest early in the fourth and the Warriors’ cause was dealt a further blow with Emily Flynn taken from the court with a shoulder injury. After a short injury delay, Fr. Mathews drove on to increase the gap through Corkery, Ferris, Murphy and the impressive Niamh Braham with three identical efforts and despite a double from Anna O’Sullivan and late score from Sorcha Casey, the Cork side’s second half overall dominance saw them see out the 78-53 win in the end.
Scorers:
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Holly O’Brien 19, Aisling Counihan 11, Anna O’Sullivan 8
Fr. Mathews: Niamh Braham, Amy Corkery 12, Abbie Jeffrey 10
Next up for the Warriors is an away trip to take on Glanmire with both sides coming into the contest on an identical 3-1 record. Tip off next Saturday 1st February in Upper Glanmire is at 6.30pm.
Thanks to Liam Ryan for the images