ALL-IRELAND SCHOOLS UNDER 19B BASKETBALL FINAL
St.Mary’s CBGS v St.Conleth’s, Dublin
St Mary’s CBGS 82 (46) (D Durkan 40, P Ferguson 8, L McLarnon 7)
- All-Ireland Basketball Winners
St Conleth’s College 67 (31) (S Butler 29, M Ryan 20, K Finn 7)
MVP David Durkan (St Mary’s CBGS)
An irrepressible performance from ‘MVP’ David Durkan inspired St Mary’s CBGS to victory in the final of the All Ireland U-19 B Boys Cup (Fri,27th January) at the expense of Conleth’s College.
A high octane opening to this one saw both sides make some impressive plays. A superb score from David Durkan gave St Mary’s a three point lead before Mark Ryan responded for St Conleth’s 9-8. Ryan was enjoying a blistering start to the game, rebounding superbly for his side in defence, and providing a vital focal point for St Conleth’s attack. It was shaping up to be an intriguing battle between Ryan and St Mary’s Liam McLarnon, a battle that looked likely to shape the outcome of the contest. St Mary’s managed to edge a first quarter high on quality, 19-12.
David Durkan had a huge impact for St Mary’s at the beginning of the second quarter and was instrumental in extending his side’s lead to 11 points. Donal Brady hit three soon afterwards as St Mary’s surge continued apace. St Conleth’s needed to find an answer quickly as the Mary’s blitz threatened to blow away any hopes they had of success. To their credit St Conleth’s doggedly stuck to their task and were still in contention, but dramatically on the half time buzzer, David Durkan capped a tremendous first half performance with three to give his side a 46-31 lead.
St Mary’s continued to make the running at the beginning of the third quarter, Durkan again to the fore as the challenge of St Conleth’s began to wilt. It was difficult not to feel sympathy for St Conleth’s, who put in a valiant effort in attempting to get back into the game in the final. Alas they were up against an inspired outfit in St Mary’s, who ran out deserved 82-67 winners after an absorbing contest.
