An excellent performance today from our U19 Girls team in the All-Ireland Quarter final play offs. The first of the two games was always going to be a tough ask, with Carrigtwohill having two Irish internationals on their squad. Ella Diggins opened the scoring for Causeway getting fouled on a made lay up and scoring the free throw which was followed by a basket from Kelly Forristal yet Carrigtwohill went up 12-5 at the end of the first quarter. The intensity upped in the second quarter with Ava Daly and Megan Barrett making lay ups thanks to rebounds from Holly Boyle and Aoife Moriary. The second quarter ended 25-17. The third quarter saw Carrigtwohill really hit their stride and unfortunately it became too much of an uphill battle after this and the Cork side saw the game out 46-30 winners.
The girls only had a 15 minute break before having to play a second game. It looked like this game was over after the first quarter, with Pres Athenry leading 15-4. At one stage in the second quarter the Galway side went up 22-4 but after a time out and a couple of tweaks, Causeway fought back with ferocious strength, like they have done all year and started playing to their full potential. Scores from Hazel Cantillon and Holly Boyle settled the girls. A notable mention to Kelly Forristal who was exceptional on defence and it was her steals that got us a lot of baskets on the fast breaks. Abbie Elbell shot the lights out in this game, with three 3 pointers which put a huge dent in the scoreline. The second quarter ended 23-17. Sarah Diggins opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 3 pointer and with Katelyn Mahony, Megan Barrett, Holly Boyle and Paige Murphy putting a shift in defensively, the quarter ended 26-27 in favour of the Galway sode. It was a tough battle in the last quarter but thankfully the girls were able to see the game out in a very dramatic ending to the game, winning on the narrowest of margins 34-33.
Unfortunately as Carrigtwohill won both of their games, they go through to the All-Ireland Semi finals. However, the girls should be proud of themselves for how hard they fought not just today but all year. The work rate and effort they put in this year was incredible and they should be proud of themselves.
A special mention to our 6th year Abbie Elbell, Sarah Diggins, Megan Barrett and Ella Diggins who played their last school game today. Since first year these girls have been a credit to school basketball and have portrayed exemplary behavior, serving as an inspiration for the younger girls coming up. Well done girls for getting this far in the competition.