Meteors retain InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup with win over Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell

Meteors made it back-to-back InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup titles, defeating Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell 74-64 on Sunday at the National Basketball Arena.

This was a repeat of last year’s final and any early nerves ahead of tip off for Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell were settled by a three point jump shot from Abbie Lyons and they’d establish an 8-1 advantage following back-to-back baskets by Clodagh Downey. But back-to-back three’s from Helena Keane and Kira Walsh saw Meteors reel in the deficit, to trail 8-7. It was 14 apiece with three minutes to go in the first, after a three from deep by Keane. In a game of high quality, Meteors would hit the front by the end of the quarter, 25-21, Keane with 13 of their points.

Gurranabraher Credit Union went back in front in the early stages of the second quarter and had a six point lead within two minutes, 31-25, when Laura Hannigan’s three point jump shot from the top of the arc landed. Grace Prenter narrowed the gap to three once more with her first from the three point line and it was followed by another for Keane - her fourth three of the game - to bring the match level once more, at 31-31, with four minutes gone in the quarter. A pair of Prenter free throws at the end of the quarter – to bring her tally for the quarter to 11 points - helped Meteors go into a 42-40 half-time lead. 

Grace Prenter, Meteors BC, claimed the MVP after a 19-point performance in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women's National Cup

Meteors extended their advantage in the third quarter, they were up by six three minutes in, after a Keane basket, 46-40. A put back from Andrea Jude in the closing seconds of the quarter made it 58-51 to Meteors. 

Another Keane three - her fifth of the game - with 6’14 to go and it was a 12-point game, 65-53 to Meteors. Keane had 23 points at that stage and she’d finish with a game-high 25.

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell got it within five points with 2’09” to go, 69-64, following Hanningan’s fifth from the three point line and a pair of Ava Walsh free throws. Any momentum for the Cork club was snuffed out with another three point jump shot by Lynch, which was greeted with a loud cheer from the Meteors support who felt it was going to be their day, and it was, as they won it 74-64. 

Grace Prenter, who’d dictated the tempo for Meteors all game and grabbed 19 points in the procees, picked up the MVP. 

“What can I say, absolutely incredible game. Two teams went at it toe-to-toe. 18 three-pointers in the first half of that game, it was a lights-out shooting fest. We pride ourselves on defence and we gave up 40 points in that first half, we had to find a way to address that and that’s what we did in the 2nd half - it was the difference in the game. All credit to Brunell, they were fantastic. A lot of them girls will be back next year - they ran their feet off last night at the U20’s (Women’s National Cup Final).” - Paul McGrath, Meteors U18 Women's Head Coach

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell 64-74 Meteors BC

Quarter Scores: Q1: 21-25, Q2: 40-42, Q3: 51-58, Q4: 64-74

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell:

Clodagh Downey, Abbie Lyons, Laura Hannigan, Rachel Bowdren, Kacii Collins, Ava Walshe, Mia Lynch, Leah O’Brien Meehan, Michelle Angozi.

Head Coach: Kieran O’Leary

Top Scorers: Ava Walshe 19, Laura Hannigan 15, Clodagh Downey 10

Meteors BC:

Andrea Jude, Kira Lynch, Aoife Robertson, Anna O’Sullivan, Grace Prenter, Freya Blennerhassett, Jodi Geaney, Isabel Beddoe, Hannah Gilligan, Riodhna McGrath, Aisling Moran, Emma Johanssen, Grace Henkel, Helena Keane.

Head Coach: Paul McGrath

Top Scorers: Helena Keane 25, Grace Prenter 19, Kira Lynch 13