Donoughmore 71-59 St Paul's

Holders Donoughmore were good value for their win in this afternoon's Women's Ladies Senior Cup final at the arena despite the Trojan efforts of St Paul's veteran Marisa Galwey.
 
The former superleague player sunk some vital baskets for the Killarney girls to keep them in touch but in the end Donoughmore were able to go the distance when outscoring their opponents 20-12 in the final quarter.
 
The last quarter was one that Paul's will want to forget with Catriona O'Connoell fouled out and coach, James Flemings, expelled from the playing arena in the closing stages.
 
Donaghmore had opened up a 10-3 lead midway through the first quarter courtesy of baskets from Deirdre Leah, Sinead Barry MVP Rachel Vanderwal.
 
And while St Paul's had struggled to make the baskets early on, a big three pointer from Lynn Jones put them just two points in arrears.
 
And although Sinead Barry countered at the other end, Galwey scored a basket on the buzzer to leave just two points between the two at the break, 12-10 to Donoughmore.
 
Galwey was on the mark with a three pointer straight after the restart with Fiona Lynch (Donoughmore) and O'Connell then trading baskets as the pace of the game picked up.
 
Paul's however were finding it hard to break down Donoghmore with Catherine Canty cleaning up in defence.
 
And although Galwey produced another big three pointer to put three between the teams, Van Der Wal matched her at the end and a basket with five seconds left on the clock left it 33-28 at the break to Donoughmore.
 
Donoughmore stretched their lead to nine points early in the third with baskets from Van Der Wal and Mai O'Leary but again Galwey was producing some fantastic basketball and with 4.55 left in the quarter had brought Paul's level, 42-42.
 
And despites Donoghmore's attempts to open up a lead, Paul's rallied again with baskets from Galwey and Mairead Finnegan leaving them just a point in arrears at the end of the third, 48-47 to Donoughmore.
 
But although Paul's went ahead through Emer Buckley shortly after the resumption, Donoghmore never looked back once Canty put them back in front.