The Convent of Mercy U16 Cadette Basketball team won the Leinster D Final on Friday 28th January in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght. It was a huge achievement for the girls to reach this final as they were the first Basketball team from the Convent of Mercy to play in the Arena in Tallaght. They overcame a strong Cavan side from Coláiste Dún an Rí to bring the Leinster Development Cup back to Roscommon. The starting five Aisling Shanagher (C), Adriana Salvador Rodrigues, Síofra Hession, Etaine Moran and Natasha O’Rourke got off to a very strong start in the first quarter.
They worked hard as a team to break down the defence ending the quarter, 14-5, with baskets from Aisling Shanagher, Adriana Rodrigues Salvador and Siofra Hession. This gave the Roscommon girls a huge advantage heading into the second quarter. The girls worked hard in the second quarter to maintain the lead. Coláiste Dún an Rí fought at times to break down the Roscommon defence. However, the Roscommon team were prepared for rebounds and were rewarded.
The Convent of Mercy side ended the second quarter with a strong lead, 23-12. The Roscommon girls extended the lead further in the 3 rd quarter, despite the Cavan girls coming onto the court with a strong defensive strategy. Some long balls into the oppositions half of the court allowed for easy scores for the Mercy girls. The Roscommon girls fought hard for 8 minutes as the Cavan girls tightened up the play. The Roscommon side ended the quarter 33-14, with baskets again coming from Aisling, Adriana and Síofra.
The Convent of Mercy went into the final quarter of the game with a 19-point advantage, providing an opportunity to give players a rest and use the bench. Coláiste Dún an Rí maintained their strong defensive strategy and managed to break down the Roscommon defence for the majority of the last quarter. They used the court to their advantage and managed to outscore the Roscommon side 12-0 in the last quarter.
However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the strong side from the Convent of Mercy and they finished the game, 33-26. Congratulations to all the players involved in the team and their coaches Ms. Niamh Brogan and Ms. Sandra Shanagher. A very well-deserved win for the team and a credit to all the work and training they put in throughout the year.
The Convent of Mercy Cadette U16 basketball team had an impressive win over Edmund Rice College, Dublin in the Leinster D semi-final on Monday 24th January, in the Sports Campus Ireland Arena. It was a fantastic opportunity for the girls to play one of their games in the Arena in Blanchardstown, where numerous sporting athletes from around Ireland train. The Convent of Mercy brought pace to the arena from the beginning of the game which did not suit Edmund Rice College.
The Roscommon girls got off to a brilliant start finishing the first two quarters, 12-2. Edmund Rice College tried to break down the defence, but baskets from Aisling Shanagher, Adriana Salvador Rodrigues, Síofra Hession and Niamh Dawson kept the Convent of Mercy in front. The girls came out with a very convincing win, 23-6. They now progress to the Leinster D Final which will take place on Friday 28th January in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght. Best of luck to all the players and their coaches, Ms. Niamh Brogan and Mrs. Sandra Shanagher, in their upcoming final.
The Convent of Mercy Cadette U16 basketball team won the Midlands Regional Final on Friday 14th January in St Mary’s Hall, Portlaoise. They came up against a strong Mullingar side from St Finian’s College. The girls got off to a good start, taking time to adjust to their new surroundings. Baskets from Aisling Shanagher, Siofra Hession and Adriana Salvador Rodrigues put the Convent of Mercy in front at the end of the first quarter, 8-6.
The girls went into the second quarter very strong and settled into the game. St Finian’s College found it difficult to slow down the pace from the Convent of Mercy. The quarter ended with the Convent of Mercy edging well in front, 24-10. With an excellent lead heading into the 3rd quarter, the Convent of Mercy played their subs bench. The third quarter was low scoring for both sides but the Roscommon girls kept the lead at the end of the quarter, 30-13. The Convent of Mercy had a significant lead heading into the final quarter.
The girls finished strong in the final eight minutes with baskets coming from Aisling Shanagher, Adriana Salvador Rodrigues, Niamh Dawson and Carla Griffin. The Roscommon girls played a very strong game from the first quarter and it was an excellent display of basketball from the side. Well done to all the players involved with the U16 basketball team and their coaches Ms. Niamh Brogan and Ms. Sandra Shanagher. The Convent of Mercy now progress to the Leinster semi-final which takes place on Monday 24th January in the National Sports Arena, Blanchardstown. Best of luck to all players and coaches in their upcoming semi-final.
Congratulations to our U16 Basketball team who had a brilliant win on Wednesday. January 12th against Colaiste Mhuire Co-Ed Thurles, in the Midlands regional semi-finals. They now go on to play St. Finian’s College Mullingar in the Midlands regional final in Portlaoise. Best of luck to the team and their coach Ms. Niamh Brogan and Ms Sandra Shanagher. Hard luck to our U19 Basketball team who also played their regional semi-final and were defeated by Portlaoise College, 46 points to 26. The girls have played a fantastic league to date.