DCU Mercy 68-55 Glanmire Team MN

DCU Mercy Head Coach, Mark Ingle, paid tribute to his side after they claimed their first ever National Cup crown, denying Team Montenotte Hoterl Cork a fourth crown in a row with a pulsating 68-55 win at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.

’I thought we hurt them inside at crucial times and we kept the head and composure down the stretch and that is what you need to do in those big games,’ said Ingle.

‘It was a game that could have gone either way. I was very worried coming into the end of the third quarter but we got that eight point lead and I think the girls took their eye off the ball a little bit. You can never relax – three up with six seconds to go and you could go into overtime.’

Niamh Dwyer opened the scoring for Montenotte, managing to cut down the lane to mark the start of a bright opening spell for the Cork giants. Dwyer continued to make an impression with a big interception before a big three from Aine McKenna helped extend their advantage to five points (9-4).

Suzanne Maguire started the revival with a superb reverse lay-up, while Shauna O’Connor played her part with two excellent three’s to give the Dubliners a 23-18 lead at the end of the first quarter.

O’Connor’s excellent display of three point shooting continued in the early stages of the second quarter to help stretch DCU’s advantage to nine points (29-20).

Claire Rockall provided some respite for Montenotte but a big steal in the post by Ann-Marie Healy in the closing stages ensured a 36-28 advantage at half time.

Montenotte signaled their intentions early in the third quarter with two baskets in quick succession from Breen to bring them within four points of their opponents. Their pressure continued with Dwyer sinking another three to leave the slightest of margins between the sides.

With two minutes remaining, DCU lead by four (49-45) but two successfully converted free throws from Claire Rockall meant just two points separated the sides heading into the final quarter. (49-47)

Valarie O’Driscoll got the Glanmire club off to a perfect start in the final quarter but a superb drive to the basket from Sarah McGrath put six points between and some breathing space for DCU. (55-49)

DCU held their nerve to increase their advantage to 61-53 with Ann Marie Healy converting off an endline play. Their was no way back for Mark Scannell’s charges as their bid for a four in a row was denied on a scoreline of 68-55.