Women’s Superleague Basketball
Utility Trust St Paul’s 65
Flomax Liffey Celtics 98
Report: Enda Walshe
Having been promoted as league champions and unbeaten at home since they rejoined the national league, Utility Trust St Paul’s are used to dictating matters at the Killarney Sports and Leisure.
What they would not have been aware of was the road ahead of them when they would be locking horns with teams now firmly established in the Superleague.
Hopes were high ahead of the visit of Flomax Liffey Celtics who came with two league titles under their belts, albeit smarting from being pipped at the post last season by Killester.
When the final buzzer went on Saturday afternoon, James Fleming’s side would be left in no doubt about the step up in class and, truth be told, it may serve them well for the season ahead knowing the work that needs to be done.
The Celtics had seasoned Irish internationals in their ranks, including Sorcha Tiernan, Áine O’Connor – a powerhouse at both ends of the court – Hazel Finn and Alexis Tucker who poured in 19 well-timed points. Possessing a greater physicality, they were dominant in all the key areas and were full value for 98-65 win.
Having said that, St Paul’s will point to the absence of Lorraine Scanlon who would certainly have mucked in under the boards to assist Megan Ormiston and Meabh Barry. Barry made a promising start but soon ran into foul trouble, needing to thread warily thereafter.
Denise Dunlea and Siofra O’Shea will also be huge additions for the visit of Glanmire on Monday, October 14 as St Paul’s will look to build on the positives.
And there were some. They led 32-26 midway through the second quarter thanks to some superb inside play by Megan Ormiston and some slick play by Gracen Kerr and Anja Marinkovic. The latter hit a big three early on while Rheanne O’Shea drove to the basket to tie the game up at 7-7 early doors.
Tiernan was pulling the Celtics strings alongside O’Connor with the Paul’s defence keeping a tight rein on American duo Alexis Tucker and Eboni Williams. Rachel Huijdnes added her frame to the Celtics efforts as they started to turn the screw and lead 24-20 at the end of the first.
The next five minutes was St Paul’s best period in the game as Ormiston kept the foot on the gas. Rheanne O’Shea hit a big three following some superb combination play, Marinkovic, with a big steal, scored on the breakaway and then Kerr hit from downtown to help the hosts into a 32-26 lead.
Spurred into action the Celtics hit a purple patch which St Paul’s had no answer to. Williams, Tucker, Ciara Bracken and Hazel Finn hit 16 points, a run only broken by a Kerr basket. Any notion of the Celtics momentum being stalled was halted by Tiernan as she was imperious, turning the game 50-37 in the Kildare side’s favour.
Ormiston hit early in the third quarter but any question the home side asked was emphatically answered. Credit where it’s due they never wilted in their efforts with Lynn Jones and Leah McMahon doing their utmost off the bench to narrow the gap.
Marinkovic, O’Shea and Kerr all found the basket but Tiernan, O’Connor, Finn and co kept the foot to the floor and despite a fine score from Queralt Almasque, the advantage was extended to 78-52.
Tucker put her stamp on proceedings draining six early fourth quarter points. Simone O’Shea hit from the charity stripe but Tiernan was relentless in assisting O’Connor and Ciara Boyce.
In front of a big home following St Paul’s spirit never wilted and Rheanne O’Shea was defiant in defeat hitting two big threes. Marinkovic followed suit to help her side finish with some pride intact.
There is no doubt that Liffey Celtics will be contenders for major honours this year so lessons can be learned from the defeat. It was a tough game for the Killarney side to play in but it would have to be a case of forget what hurt you but never forget what it taught you.
Megan Ormiston top scored for Utility Trust St Paul’s with 20 points, Gracen Kerr had 15, Rheanne O’Shea and Anja Marinkovic shared 26 equally while Simone O’Shea and Queralt Almasque had two each.
Game MVP Sorcha Tiernan checked out with 25, Alexis Tucker hit 19, Áine O’Connor had 16, Hazel Finn managed 11 and Kelly Bracken contributed nine.
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