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Desmond College girls basketball team finished the season on a high with a flurry of fixtures and victories.
The first year team found new talent in players such as Courtney O’Kelly, Kiara Carroll, Stephanie Sheehan, Hayley Costello and Katie Barrett. In particular the team had an outstanding win against St. Enda’s with a score of 26-2.
The second year squad’s experience included a good win over St. Enda’s. The team also beat Croom in the plate semi-final with a narrow but deserved 16-14 win.
The team was anchored by an excellent ball-carriers in Deborah Murphy, Suan Murphy and Courtney Singh and outstanding defense with players Shannon White, Shannon O’Doherty, Vanessa Dowling, Lorraine Enright, Sharon Barry and Shauna Tobin.
The attacking players comprising of Cassie Costello, Rebecca Long, Shauna Hough, Laoise McCarthy and Nicola O’Brien showed great determination. Unfortunately, St. Mary’s from Corbally provided too strong an opposition on the day of the final but all girls thoroughly enjoyed their experience of playing in the U.L. arena.
The Senior team comprising of our stalwarts Catriona Quaid, Sarah O’Connor, Siobhan Copse and Margaret O’Connor enjoyed their basketball season. These veterans were joined by some strong players from junior years namely Joanne Dowling, Katie Brislane, Laura Herlihy, Mairead Relihan, Laura O’Sullivan and Mary Kadima.
Losing to Askeaton in the plate semi-final was a very close match with a huge disappointment to the team but has inspired the younger players for next season.
Thank you to all girls involved for representing Desmond College and Gaelcholaiste Ui Chonba with such enthusiasm, commitment and respect for all opposition. Looking forward to next season already.