SETU Carlow 50
Utility Trust St Paul’s 83
Enda Walshe reports
Utility Trust St Paul’s opened up their women’s national league campaign with a convincing win over SETU Carlow in the Barrow Centre.
With the county football championship reaching a conclusion, coach James Fleming was shorn a number of his squad with Lorraine Scanlon, Rheanne O’Shea, Leah McMahon, Denise Dunlea and Cliona Coffey all on GAA duty so, in those circumstances, he will be happy with the manner of the win.
A feature of the game was the outstanding performance of Jess Huber who checked out with 35 points and gave a dazzling display of all her skills.
Compatriot Alexa Naeesans picked up some early fouls so had to thread carefully throughout but she too showed glimpses of her capability with some slick inside play.
What will also please Fleming will be the performance of the other squad members available. Kerry ladies’ footballer Niamh Ní Chonchuir chipped in with 10 points, Maeve Barry got 32 minutes under her belt while young Mary Kate Smith looked very comfortable at the level.
The ageless Lynn Jones hit three from beyond the arc while Tara Donnellan and Katie Brosnan impressed when introduced, giving starters a much needed breather to keep the game intensity high.
SETU Carlow only signed an American player this week and it took her a while to settle into the game but, truth be told, they never threatened the Paul’s lead at any juncture.
Jess Huber put her stamp on proceedings from the get go. She hit 14 first quarter points, three from outside the arc and was joined on the scoresheet by Meabh Barry and Niamh Ní Chonchuir.
The Ryans, Miah and Joanna, tried hard for the home side while Annie Digan was always probing but Paul’s still led 19-9 at quarters end.
Alexa Naeesans started the second quarter on fire, netting two quick baskets but she also picked up her third foul and had to sit out the remainder of the period.
A Lynn Jones three pointer added to the home side’s frustration and that spilled over onto their bench with Jess Huber hitting free throws as a result of technical fouls. The lead was then 33-12, with Mary Kate Smith netting her debut points but Carlow roused themselves to finish the half better.
Emer Dunne and Zoe Brierty got their total to 26 but another Jones three and a Ní Chonchuir bucket made it 40-26 at half time.
The third quarter saw Annie Digan cut the gap to nine early but Naessans, reintroduced to the line-up, pushed St Paul’s ahead again with good support from Ní Chonchuir and Jones. Miah Ryan was also pushed Carlow forward but Huber came out of her quietest spell in the game to close the quarter with six points.
Any resistance Carlow could muster was soon quashed by another two from Mary Kate Smith and Ní Chonchuir and even with Naessans being fouled out a Tara Donnellan three made it 66-41.
Sarah Corbett was tapping away for Carlow but Meabh Barry stole in for a couple of baskets and Huber kept the scoreboard ticking over.
One of the scores of the game came courtesy of Mary Kate Smith who picked up a quarter back type pass from Lynn Jones to hit an easy lay-up.
Fittingly, Jess Huber had the last word with another three and Utility Trust St Paul’s ran out comfortable 83-50 winners.
Jess Huber led the way with 35 points, Alexa Naessans had 12, Niamh Ni Chonchuir hit 10, Lynn Jones cashed in for nine, Meabh Barry and Mary Kate Smith both had seven while Tara Donnellan scored three.
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