Dwyers prove too hot for Huskies to handle
Team Montenotte Hotel 93 UL Huskies 87
The Dwyer sisters, Grainne and Niamh, were the stars of the show at the National Basketball Arena last night, as their combined tally of 40 points steered Team Montenotte Hotel to a magnificent over-time triumph over UL Huskies.
In a pulsating opening quarter, Montenotte took control with doubles by Amanda O’Regan, Grainne Dwyer and Emilee Harmon, before the defending champions restored parity.
A brace of successful free efforts by Aoife McDermott moved UL into the ascendancy midway through the period, but despite also enjoying contributions from Loretta Maher (three), Rachel Clancy and Rachael Vanderwal (two each), three-pointers from Grainne Dwyer and O’Regan meant that the Cork outfit brought a 25-19 cushion into the second quarter.
An O’Regan three-pointer helped Montenotte to settle back into their groove. Another four-point haul by McDermott halted Montenotte’s momentum, but with the Dwyers amassing 14 points between them, the Glanmire side had a 52-40 buffer at the midway point in the contest.
It was during the third period of play that UL finally produced their best form, however, and six points apiece from the dynamic duo of McDermott and Clancy helped UL to level matters.
The expected UL charge in the closing moments almost materialised when the holders led 79-71 seven minutes from the end, but six points by Aine McKenna levelled matters. A Grainne Dwyer two-pointer 40 seconds from time placed Montenotte in the driving seat, but McDermott ensured that overtime was required in order to separate the teams.
Montenotte were in full control during the additional period of five minutes, as Grainne Dwyer (five), Harmon (two) and Rockall all produced in a powerful conclusion to the action.
Scorers – Team Montenotte Hotel: G Dwyer 21, N Dwyer 19, C Rockall 15, A McKenna 14, E Harmon 12, A O’Regan 8, S Kenny 4. UL Huskies: A McDermott 27, R Clancy 23, R Vanderwal 16, L Galvin 14, L Maher 5, C Grant 2.
TEAM MONTENOTTE HOTEL – A McKenna, C Rockall, N Dwyer, A O’Regan, G Dwyer, O Dupuy, L Falvey, K Walsh, E Harmon, H McCathy, H Lenihan.
UL HUSKIES – L Galvin, K Fahy, R Clancy, A Danaher, C Grant, M Brooks, N O’Donovan, R Vanderwal, F Lynch, L Maher, A McDermott.
REFS – D Cabelle, L Cassidy, J Walsh