Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne: 38
St. Patrick's Academy, Tyrone: 34
Kerry added another all-Ireland victory against Tyrone to its repertoire yesterday as the U-16 ladies of Dingle's Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne seized the National Basketball Schools Cup B Championship in a tense and thrilling match against the girls of St. Patrick's Academy, Dungannon, Tyrone at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght. The atmosphere was electric as the Dingle girls lined out against a physically stronger Dungannon team, eager to take the prize this year after being cruelly denied last year's title by one point in the final minute against Dominican College, Galway in the 2007 final.
Dingle's physical disadvantage soon became their advantage as their slighter builds gave way to a faster paced game which Dungannon struggled to contend with, as the West Kerry women exerted pressure on Dungannon's ball handlers. Despite this surge by Dingle, Dungannon lead by one basket, 17-16, at the culmination of the first half.
Dingle drove at Dungannon at the commencement of the second half, taking advantage of fast breaks. Stalemate continued into the last minute and the game tightened, each team aware that the next score could decide the outcome.
Pobalscoil's Roisín Ní Shíthigh was then fouled, with 38 seconds on the clock. She calmly executed the free throw shot, putting Dingle ahead by one point.
With 32 seconds to go, she was again fouled and converted the two free throw shots, affording Dingle a further two points. The game became a tense one on one situation at this point, with the final minute extending to almost five minutes real time duration. With two seconds on the clock, Pobalscoil's Emma Prendiville converted an astounding three pointer which sent the Kerry supporters, that travelled en-masse with the team, absolutely wild!
Dungannon responded with one more basket but it proved to be too little too late as Dingle's Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne took the title with four points to spare, winning 38-34 points.
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