Team Garveys Tralee: 50 – Fr Matthews, Cork: 64
Team Garveys travelled to Cork for their final league game of the season on Saturday hoping to continue their recent good form and end the season on a high note. Alas it was not to be as an in-form Fr Matthews showed why they are in second position in the National League with a very organised,aggressive and pacy display which proved too much for the visitors in the second half.
The result sets up an intriguing all Kerry clash in the LeagueQuarter Final Play-offs, with Imperials away to Castleisland next Saturday night (to be confirmed), where the home side will be strong favourites to advance to the semi finals following their recent back to back wide margin victories over the Tralee.
The game at Colaiste Chriost Ri saw an evenly contested and defensively tight opening quarter, with Tralee leading 11-9 at the first whistle, with a brace from Sinead Mackessy and Rheanne O Shea and a three pointer from Cassandra Buckley responsible for the lead. Fr Matthews achieved dominance in the second quarter due in no small part to an improved defensive set up and greater accuracy in their shooting, where they converted most of their scoring opportunities.
Deirdre Kearney, Buckley and Deirdre Geaney were inspirational in defence and Amy Fitzgerald was causing problems on offence, netting two good baskets under pressure. The home side led 27-22 at the break.The game was won and lost in the opening 5 minutes of the third quarter, when a combination of multiple turnovers from Imperials and fast breaks by Fr Matthews, all the result of a blistering restart which seemed to catch Tralee off guard saw the home side open a 15 point gap which proved decisive for the remainder of the game.
Try as they might Tralee, despite the best efforts of Geaney, Laura Hoffman, Amanda Brosnan and Aoife Crowley, trailed at quarter end 45-31. A spirited fight back in the final quarter saw the gap reduce to 8 points but Fr Matthews reasserted their superiority on the board in the final few minutes to win on a score-line of 64-50.
While the home side deserved their victory there was enough to see in the Imperials display to suggest they will make a serious contest of their clash against their local rivals, especially if they can reduce their tally of turnovers and finish the chances they create.
There is nothing like alocal derby to bring the best out of teams and both sets of supporters will not want to miss this one.
Team: Sinead Mackessy 13, Rheanne O Shea 12, Amy Fitzgerald 6, Cassandra Buckley 5, Laura Hoffman, Deirdre Geaney 8, Deirdre Kearney 4, Amanda Brosnan 2, Roisin Lucey, Aoife Crowley.
ACADEMY GIRLS
Tralee imperial girls had a fantastic 4 point victory over St Paul on Tuesday night
U18 Girls
Hard luck to the girls who were up against a very tough Glanmire side in the National Shield competition…Well done on reaching Qtr finals.
Huge thanks to sponsor Four Star Pizza and to coach Liam Culloty.
