St Paul’s 87
Limerick Sport Huskies 51
Enda Walshe reports
St Paul’s ladies advanced to the last four of the Division 1 National Cup with a facile victory over the Limerick Sport Huskies in St Munchin’s College on Saturday evening.
The seeds of the victory were sown in the triple scoring threat of Sofia Paska, Yuleska Tejeda and Rheanne O’Shea who combined for a total of 75 points and, in truth, the Limerick side had no answer to the overall power of James Fleming’s side.
It sets up a semi-final date with Abbey Seal Dublin Lions and St Paul’s will be keen to avenge the league defeat to the same side at the start of November.
Having tasted defeat in Killarney in an earlier league game, the Huskies started this game in determined fashion and despite an opening basket from Lorraine Scanlon, the forceful play of Sophie Moore, Kristina Collins and Kaylee Kacavas saw them open up an early 15-12 lead.
With a familiar starting five of Rheanne O’Shea, Paska, Tejeda, Lorraine Scanlon and Lynn Jones, it took the visitors a while to get motoring but when Tejeda nudged them in front in the closing minutes of the opening quarter it was a lead they were never going to relinquish. Siofra O’Shea was also prominent in the early stages and when Paska nailed a three it saw Paul’s lead 27-20 at the quarters end.
Tejeda opened the second quarter with another three and despite the best efforts of Killarney native Megan Buckley, the Huskies could do little to advance the slide.
Paska was tormenting them on the inside and with Seodhna O’Donoghue, Cassandra Buckley and Aisling O’Mahony keeping the momentum going off the bench the lead was stretched out to 48-31 at half-time.
Rheanne O’Shea started the second half like a house on fire hitting a trio of three pointers and while Fiona O’Connell replied with one of her own for the Huskies Siofra O’Shea and Paska didn’t let up. The third quarter ended as it started with Rheanne O’Shea red hot from outside and St Paul’s were out of sight at 69-40.
Denis Dunlea made a welcome return to action and the big lead afforded coach Fleming the opportunity to give his bench plenty of minutes. Jessica Quirke and Katie Brosnan were also introduced and the bench rotation did not deter St Paul’s in the slightest.
Sophie Moore continued to toil hard for the home side, she ended up with 25 points, but the hot hands of Tejeda, O’Shea and Katie Brosnan closed the game out on a 87-51 scoreline.
Tejeda and Paska combined for a total of 56 points while Rheanne O’Shea continues to push her bar higher with a return of 19, including five three-pointers. Siofra O’Shea and Lorraine Scanlon had four apiece while Seodhna O’Donoghue and Katie Brosnan had two each.
The Huskies were best served by Sophie Moore, Kristina Collins who netted 10 and Kaylee Kacavas who ended up with 7.
St Paul’s return to league action on Saturday, December 17 when they welcome leaders Portlaoise Panthers to the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre. The Laois side has yet to taste defeat and in Alyssa Velles, Sarah Fleming and Megan Dunne they possess a serious threat. The game will form the first part of a double header with Scott’s Lakers St Paul’s facing SETU Waterford Vikings after.
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