Moyne College Progress with Style
U19 Boys Basketball
Moyne College progress into the All Ireland Semi Finals after two fine performances in Heywood College, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois last Sunday morning. Moyne came out top of their group with two wins.
The first against Gort of Galway was a tight affair for the first two quarters with Moyne not making the most of their chances and Gort’s ability to shoot three pointers from anywhere kept the game very tight.
It was only in the third quarter when the boys from Moyne really injected some pace into the game and started to get the scores they deserved.
Stephen Popplewell and Owen O Boyle starting to gain control of the game using Daniel Gorman’s smart running of the ball to great effect. Ryan Hennigan, Karl O Hora and Myles Rogan worked very hard up and down the court, with Kevin Duffy coming off the bench to hit five points in the last two minutes. In the end Moyne College ran out comfortable winners on a score line of 71-40
In the second game it was winner takes all as both teams had one win each. This was an exciting and at times very nerve racking game of basketball however, these two teams were very evenly matched. Moyne tired very hard in the opening quarter but it just didn’t seem to be coming off for them, while the well drilled St. Joseph’s of Derry seem to capitalise on every missed opportunity they had.
In the third quarter it was a tight low scoring game with scores of 16-12 to St Joseph’s Derry.
In the fourth quarter the game turned and opened up completely with Derry taking advantage of some poor handling errors by Ballina. With their backs against the wall and them completely up against it these boys showed true character in stepping up with some excellent baskets from Stephen Popplewell and Owen O Boyle. Once again the young Daniel Gorman proving the point if you’re good enough you’re old enough, with some vital scores. With ten seconds remaining the teams were level and Moyne pushed for the winning score but this was in vain as the clock went against them. With three minutes of extra time to be played and St. Joseph’s starting with possession, it wasn’t looking good for Moyne College. But this was the time when Dermott Meila’s team stepped up a gear and showed some unbelievable defence which, created an opportunity for Stephen Popplewell to hit St Joseph’s on the break. A chance that he didn’t need to be asked twice to take. One minute on the clock and Moyne stood united and strong once more, they ceased the ball from St Joseph’s and retained possession for this vital win. Next up is the All Ireland Semi Finals date and venue to be confirmed at a later stage.
Team
Owen O Boyle,(cpt) Stephen Popplewell, Karl O Hora, Ryan Hennigan, Daniel Gorman, Myles Rogan, Kevin Duffy, Patrick Buckley, Rory Kelly, Jonhnny Lennighan, Gary Mc Ellhatton.