Double delight for Scoil Chríost Rí Portlaoise in Regional Basketball finals

Scoil Chríost Rí were crowned 1st Year 'A' and 2nd Year 'A' Midlands/South-East Regional Champions after securing two impressive victories over Presentation Kilkenny in the finals played last Tuesday at St Mary’s Sports Hall.

These wins add to their U16A title earlier in the season, meaning the Laois school has now claimed three of the four regional championships.

The 1st Year team delivered a dominant performance, producing what was described as one of the best displays from an SCR Portlaoise 1st Year side in recent years. They stormed into an early lead with relentless pressing and fast-break basketball, finishing the opening quarter 13-0 ahead. Their momentum continued into the second quarter, extending their advantage to 34-4 at halftime before closing out a comprehensive 48-18 victory.

The 2nd Year final followed a similar pattern early on, with SCR racing into a 16-6 lead by the end of the first quarter. They extended their advantage to 13 points at halftime, winning the second quarter 10-7. However, Pres Kilkenny, last year’s All-Ireland 1st Year A champions, responded with a dominant third quarter, scoring freely on the fast break to win the period 14-2 and cut the deficit to just a single point.

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With the momentum swinging in Kilkenny’s favour, SCR needed to respond. They steadied themselves in the final quarter, increasing their defensive intensity and finding key scores when needed. In a tense finish, they held their composure to secure a hard-fought five-point victory.

With regional success secured, SCR now turn their focus to a potential treble of All-Ireland titles. The school has already qualified for the All-Ireland U14A Cup semi-final, which takes place on Wednesday, March 16, in the Oblate Hall, Inchicore, where they will face Malahide, Dublin.

The 2nd Year team will play a qualifying blitz on Tuesday, April 1, while the 1st Year team will compete in the All-Ireland tournament at UL Arena, Limerick, on the weekend of May 9 and 10.

SCR Panels – Regional Finals 2025

1st Year A Team:
Beth Donoghue, Kate Dowling, Leah O’Sullivan, Doireann Delaney, Orlaith Coffey, Saoirse Reddin, Cara Dunne, Hannah Touhy, Daisy Ramsbottom, Sarah Deegan, Zoe Carton, Lily Butler, Niamh Ramsbottom, Katie Bracken, Sophie Musekina, Emma Holohan.

2nd Year A Team:
Grainne Coleman, Cara Powders, Mia Delaney, Rosa Conroy, Afric Hennessy, Rhea Flanagan, Holly Scully, Beth Donoghue, Kate Dowling, Doireann Delaney, Sophie Burnell, Ceola Hayes, Isabella Hickey, Emily Neilon, Lucy Mulhall.