Slam dunk for Laois school on All-Ireland Final Basketball triumph - PICTURES & REPORT

Heywood Community School stormed to the U19 ‘C’ Girls All-Ireland Schools League title, accounting for a dogged St. Marys Dundalk 63-39 at the National Basketball Arena.

Louise Doyle, Emma Carney and Faye McEvoy were almost unplayable at times, in the final played on Thursday, February 23 in Dublin. The scored most of the teams points on the day. SEE BELOW PICTURE to READ full match report. Tap NEXT or ARROW to pictures taken at the final in the Tallaght stadium.

St Mary’s College will look back on the opening quarter as the catalyst of their defeat. The 15-point lead built by Heywood CS too much to overcome in the remainder of the game. 

The Ballinakill school school hit the ground running with a 9-0 run from the tip-off. Emma Carney, Faye McEvoy, Kaylee O’Keefe and Louise Doyle all making shots. Jessica Daly responded with Dundalk’s only score of the quarter, a fast break lay-up, to leave it 17-2 through the first. 

St Mary’s more than held their own in the second quarter. Robyn Markey made two pressure shots from the mid-range, with Megan Gallagher also thinking quickly to capitalise on a Heywood turnover for her opening score. Philip Bowe’s side continued to make baskets with incredible accuracy though, Louise Doyle and an Emma Carney three-point shot ensuring they held a comfortable 36-14 advantage at the half. 

Both teams maintained a good tempo as they re-emerged for the third. Emma Carney capped an impressive performance from beyond the arc by downing her third three of the game en-route to an 18 point total with 7:09 remaining. Jessica Daly responded in kind for St. Mary’s College to keep the scoreboard ticking. Further scores from Robyn Markey and Gallagher ensuring they would win the quarter 17-16. 

Heywood entered the last with a 21-point lead and despite all their endeavour, their opponents just couldn’t make their shots consistently in the face of some strong defence and it was Heywood Community School who ran out worthy winners. 

The Ballinakill school continues a long tradition of Laois schools rising to the very top in basketball, especially in the girls competition where Scoil Chríost Rí Portlaoise and Clonaslee College have enjoyed success in recent times.

Teams

Heywood CS: Faye McEvoy, Aoibhin Brophy, Ava Tynan, Louise Doyle, Kaylee O’Keeefe, Emma Carney, Clodagh Gee, Caoimhe Brophy, Carragh Concannon, Ella Kelly, Síofra Fitzpatrick, Katie Donoghue, Mary Lanigan, Leah Bergin

Coach: Philip Bowe

St. Marys Dundalk: Elahna Faapito, Megan Gallagher, Anna Markey, Saoirse Martin, Esther Ayoade, Toni Olowookere, Sarah Ellis McAlester, Jessica Finnegan, Michelle Agbolade David, Jessica Daly, Robyn Markey, Isabelle McCabe

Coach: Niamh Burns Ass. Coach: Teresa O’Neill

Top scorers: 

Heywood CS: Emma Carney (18), Faye McEvoy (12), Louise Doyle (12) 

St. Marys Dundalk: Anna Markey (19), Megan Gallagher (10), Jessica Daly (7)

Quarter Scores: Q1: 2-17 Q2: 12-19 Q3: 17-16 Q4: 8-11