BASKETBALL/All-Ireland league finals: Day one of the All-Ireland League basketball finals produced some very tight games at the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, yesterday, with Teresian School, Donnybrook; St Aidan's, Cootehill; St Peter's, Dunboyne; and Marist College, Athlone, winning their respective finals.
The main event was the under-19 B boys final between Marist College and CBS Tramore. The Waterford school were never led during the opening quarter, at the end of which the score was 18-6. Captain Declan King landed eight points including two three-pointers in the opening period. Marist improved in the second period with Brian Fogarty to the fore and they were within three points at half-time, 22-19.
Brian McCarthy, who was named MVP with a tally of 21 points, took over from Fogarty in the third quarter as he put Marist ahead for the first time at 23-22. He added a further nine points in that quarter to make it 34-24 at three-quarter-time.
Tramore launched a stirring comeback through King. Marist had the final say with three baskets without reply from Conor Dockery, Brian Fogarty and Terry Hynes to seal a 44-39 win.
St Peter's, Dunboyne, claimed the under-19 C boys title with a 48-39 win over Holy Cross College, Strabane. Holy Cross led 26-15 at half-time but Dara McKeon inspired the Dunboyne comeback as his side were 37-32 in front at three-quarter-time. Ian Dunne, who was top scorer with 19 points, finished off the Strabane challenge in the final period for a deserved win.
St Aidan's, Cootehill, edged out Coláiste Eoin in the under-16 B boys final. Coláiste Eoin were awarded three free throws with time up and the score at 33-30 but Barra Ó Conchubhair could only convert two of those as Cootehill won 33-32. Cootehill's Andrias Aukstakis finished with 21 points and the MVP award.
There was an equally dramatic finish in the under-19 B girls final as Teresian, Donnybrook, also had just a point to spare over Loreto Swords. Susie Doyle was in inspirational form for Teresian, bagging 25 points including the all-important clincher as Teresian edged out their northside opponents on a scoreline of 45-44.
