Women’s Superleague Basketball
Utility Trust St Paul’s 64
Fr Mathews 59
Report: Enda Walshe
The Presentation Gym has laid witness to many a battle in its gloried past but it would be difficult to beat this game with all it had riding on it.
Both Utility Trust St Paul’s and Fr Mathews knew that defeat would be season ending while the victor would march onto the play-offs. With that sole ingredient in the pot, it helped to serve a game full of great scores, intense defence and oodles of passion and honesty.
This was a real tug of war and it took James Fleming’s side until the third quarter to finally get on top of their Cork opponents.
The Leesiders, inspired by the O’Dwyer sisters, Niamh and Grainne, put in a serious shift, defending with a huge physicality and it made for a fascinating watch.
Shannon Brady – brought to Ireland by Fleming when he coached Fr Mathews– and Kyra White also combined for 32 points and 12 rebounds but, in the final analysis, it was probably the all-round team effort that carried the day for St Paul’s.
Alex Wittinger, who finished the game with 26 points, certainly relished the battle: “It was a tough, physical game and it was great to grind it out and come out on top.
“It was good to win a game like that and winning five games towards the end of the season gives us good momentum. If we stay consistent and play the best we can play, I think we can beat anyone”.
The opening quarter was the preserve of Fr Mathews as Niamh Dwyer, Shannon Brady and Kyra White made impressive starts. That was despite Gracen Kerr, Lorraine Scanlon and Wittinger helping their side into an early 7-2 lead. Some accurate outside shooting helped the Cork side into a 14-9 advantage.
Not even the introduction of Leah McMahon, Lynn Jones and Rheanne O’Shea deterred Aisling McCann from nailing two outside shots and with Brady finishing well inside they opened up a 24-16 first quarter gap. But, perhaps towards the end of that period, Wittinger was definitely starting to find her rhythm.
Denise Dunlea and Siofra O’Shea were now on court and they succeeded in upping the ante for St Paul’s, especially in defence. It coincided with a 10-2 scoring run with Kerr, Dunlea and Wittinger drawing the game level at 26 each.
That was the cue for Fr Mathews to turn up their defensive heat and with the O’Dwyer sisters finding their range they now seemed to have the initiative. But back came the hosts with Wittinger hitting her stock shot and McMahon netting from the free throw line. The loudest cheer of the half came though when Mathilde Diop hit a big three to put her side 32-30 clear but Grainne O’Dwyer squared it up before the half-time buzzer.
The opening moments of the second half were a mirror image with Scanlon replying to White’s baskets and then Dunlea responding to a White three with one of her own. Fr Mathews then made their move with White effective and Brady going about her business quietly.
Concerned by what was unfolding, Fleming called a timeout and whatever was said certainly worked. There was a serious shift of the pendulum prompted by a Rheanne O’Shea basket. Wittinger went 100 per cent from the free-throw line before sliding in along the baseline to net. Brady responded but Diop again hit from downtown and that meant St Paul’s had their noses in front by the minimum, 46-45, turning for home.
Sensing the end of the season was nigh for both sides, the atmosphere and intensity went through the roof. Wittinger again struck but if one segment was going to sum up the game it was Leah McMahon’s defence on the next Mathews attack. She succeeded in turning the ball over and it eventually ended up in points for Kerr.
Kerr came out of a time out to hit a three and St Paul’s were now 52-47 to the good. Wittinger was performing heroics on both sides of the court and Dunlea forced another Fr Mathews time out when she made it a nine-point game.
But in typical rebel spirit Grainne O’Dwyer and Brady tightened up the game, Paul’s now leading by just two, 58-56. But, crucially, the Cork side were in team foul trouble with Brady subsequently fouled out.
The St Paul’s defence was now like hell’s kitchen and with Fr Mathews drying up they resorted to fouling in an attempt to prolong the game. But it only succeeded in adding to St Paul’s total with Kerr and Wittinger profiting. McCann hit another three but their race was run and St Paul’s marched onto the play-offs courtesy of a 64-59 win.
Captain Denise Dunlea is looking to push on now: “We’re delighted that in our first year we are in the play-offs. We came together as a team around Christmas and set our goals.
“Alex’s arrival was a big boost too. She’s helped us with our attitude and she’s a huge influence off court as well.”
St Paul’s Alex Wittinger (26), Gracen Kerr (16), Mathilde Diop (8), Denise Dunlea (7), Lorraine Scanlon (4), Rheanne O’Shea (2), Leah McMahon (1), Lynn Jones, Queralt Almasque.
Fr Mathews: Shannon Brady (18), Kyra White (14), Grainne O’Dwyer (11), Aisling McCann (9), Niamh O’Dwyer (7).
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