Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell win Ken Clarke U20 Women’s National Cup

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell lifted the Ken Clarke U20 Women’s National Cup, following a 59-46 win over Templeogue. Abbie Lyons claimed the MVP after her 13 point and seven rebound performance, but there were a number of players that stood out for the victors, chief among them was Francesca Kyamagero, who finished with 15 points and 18 rebounds. 

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell co-captains Laura Hannigan and Ava Walsh presented with trophy by Michelle Clarke after winning the Ken Clarke U20 Women's National Cup. 

It was a tight opening quarter, Templeogue edging it 15-14. Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell opened the second quarter with five unanswered points, thanks to Ava Walsh’s three and a Lyons basket. Templeogue snapped that run with a nice turnaround jumpshot from Victoria Tinubu, to trail 19-17 two and a half minutes in. Brunell responded immediately with a three from Jean Aherne. A long three by Grace Miley and a putback by Tinubu and it was 22-22 each at the midpoint of the quarter. 

Templeogue edged ahead at the end of the second, back-to-back three’s from Keeva Byrne put them 29-24 up with two and a half minutes to go. Down the stretch a driving layup from Eabha Booth and a Miley free throw helped the Dublin club into a 32-27 half-time lead.

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell started the third with a nine point run, to put their noses in front, a layup by Lyons and a Walsh free throw finishing that sequence and they were 36-32 ahead. The Cork side were ahead by five with a little over two and a half minutes to go, following a Lyons three and it was 41-36. It would be 44-38 after Kyamagero was given far too much space to land a three in the closing seconds of the quarter. 

Brunell were up by nine, 51-42, when Aherne landed her third three of the contest with six minutes to go. Templeogue kept themselves in contention, a layup by Emma Johannson and they were 52-46 behind with 2’12 to go.

Ireland underage international Kyamagero wasn’t going to let this one slip for Brunell, she drained a three and followed it with a driving layup, to put them 59-46 up with 42 seconds remaining to help them get over the line.

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Speaking afterwards Kyamagero said: “It was really good, it was my first National Cup, so it was great to win it, my first year with Brunell, so I am really glad we won. After last night (in the U18’s Cup final) we had to make sure we won today.”

Asked what was key to victory, she added: “I think we moved the ball really well, we all took part and we all had our part in it and I think our defence was really good as well.”

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell players Francesca Kyamagero and Bolu Ugwah celebrate at the end of the Ken Clarke U20 Women's National Cup

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 15-14, Q2: 17-13, Q3: 6-17, Q4: 8-15

Game Scores:

Q1: 15-14, Q2: 32-27, Q3: 38-44, Q4: 46-59

Templeogue:

Victoria Tinubu (6), Maia Cromer (0), Liliyah Waters (0), Sophie Gallagher (2), Sarah Gallagher (2), Sarah Garvey (0), Keeva Byrne (6), Grace Miley (12), Katie Behan (4), Sophie Dempsey (4), Eabha Booth (8), Emma Johannson (2), Lauren Bradshaw (2).

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell:

Jean Aherne (9), Clodagh Downey (6), Sophie O’Keeffe (DNP), Abbie Lyons (13), Rachel Bowdren (0), Laura Hannigan (0), Francesca Kyamagero (15), McKenzie Lucey (DNP), Ava Walsh (16), Mia Lynch (0), Lilli Hughes (DNP), Bolu Ugwah (0)