Templeogue reach U20 Women's National Cup final with 50-47 victory against Tralee Magic

Templeogue will face Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell in the final of the Ken Clarke Women’s U20 National Cup following a 50-47 win over Tralee Magic at Parochial Hall on Sunday morning.

Eabha Booth’s 18 points were crucial in dragging Templeogue back into a game in which they trailed by 11 in the second half. Tralee Magic played an outstanding defensive game and their two shooters Holly O’Brien and Priya O’Donovan turned up when their team needed them, but the extra depth in the ranks of Templeogue just managed to get the Dublin side over the line in the closing moments.

Both teams struggled to find top gear in the early going, but it was Tralee Magic who settled best. O’Brien and O’Donovan took the initiative to combine for 10 points, including a trademark three from O’Donovan, as Magic closed out the first with an 11-7 lead.

Momentum shifted to Templeogue in the second quarter and it was Booth’s turn to take the game over. Coming off the bench she gave her team 7 points driving effectively and finding gaps in the Tralee zone defence. Victoria Tinubu put in some good work on the boards on the offensive end and got her just reward, backing down Lucy O’Donovan in the paint to notch a score of her own. Magic continued to play physically on both ends though and when Aimee Turner held her nerve from the free-throw line with just under two minutes remaining in the half, her score meant the teams entered the changing rooms level at 21-21 at the break. 

The intensity went up several levels in the second half. Once more it was the girls from Tralee who started fastest, O’Donovan finishing at 8-0 run in the first two minutes with a corner three. That lead grew to 11 at the midway point in the quarter. Tralee’s ball movement on offence was impressive once more and this time it was Lucy O’Donnell who found O’Brien beneath the basket to make it 34-23. The deficit appeared to kick Templeogue into gear however and when Grace Miley opened the final quarter with her first three of the contest, the Magic lead dwindled to the bare minimum.

As the teams traded scores, it appeared as if Tralee were going to be able to keep their noses five points in front down the stretch. Rachel Creedon brought Magic fans to their feet with a three and Mary Kate Smith added a layup shortly afterwards. Up step Templeogue’s Sophie Gallagher with a huge pull up jumper in response to spark the red army to life for a final onslaught. Sophie Dempsey and Smith traded further scores before Booth took it upon herself to drive to the basket and draw the foul, nailing the crucial free throws that send Templeogue to the National Basketball Arena in two weeks’ time. 

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 14-7, Q2: 7-14 Q3: 18-14, Q4: 8-15

Game Scores:

Q1: 14-7, Q2: 21-21, Q3: 39-35, Q4: 47-50 

Tralee Magic:

Priya O’Donovan, Kelly Fitzgerald, Orla O’Mahony, Holly O’Brien, Lucy O’Donnell, Rachel Creedon, Grace Lucid, Mary Kate Smith, Emily Flynn, Aimee Turner, Gracie O’Sullivan.

Templeogue BC:

Victoria Tinbu, Maia Cromer, Liliyah Waters, Sophie Gallagher, Sarah Garvey, Grace Miley, Lauren Bradshaw, Katie Behan, Sophie Dempsey, Keeva Byrne, Eabha Booth, Mila Dimitroa.