Coláiste Fionnchua make basketball finals

A great run for our 1st and 2nd year girls basketball teams came to an end this past Friday in Neptune Stadium, Cork.

The 1st years had a rocky start to the year with a loss to Presentation Convent, Mitchelstown. However, it seems this was the wake-up call they needed as in the next stage game they romped home 32-14 against Nagle Rice, Doneraile. Our 1st year girls were the into a quarter-final where they beat St Colman’s Community College, Midleton 14-12 in a very exciting game. The semi-final and final were both played on the one day and when Coláiste Fionnchua beat Coláiste Treasa 25-21 they set up a final against Boherbue Community College.

This was a game that had it all and there was very little to divide the teams, so little in fact that the game finished level at the end of the fourth quarter. Extra time was called for and there was still little to separate the teams. However, two scored free throws from Boherbue Comprehensive School in the last moments of the game broke Coláiste’s hearts as Boherbue ran out winners after extra time, 21-20.

Our 2nd year girls stormed through the group stages, beating Coláiste Treasa of Kanturk on two occasions, 22-18 and 36-24. A strong victory over Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, 50-24, followed before we faced Presentation Convent Mitchelstown, running out victors on this occasions 34-26. The last game of the group stages brought us back to Nagle Rice, Doneraile and this was undoubtedly our toughest game of the group stages. Both teams were very strong defensively and found it hard to score. However, Coláiste Fionnchua just managed to push through and took that game 19-18.

The quarter final then beckoned and this time it was Nagle Community College from Cork City who were the opposition. Despite a slow start, we ran out winners 35-20 before taking on Bishopstown Community College in the semi-final. With the final in their sights, the girls put in a terrific game and took that game 23-17.

In the final, we met our old nemesis, Boherbue Comprehensive School. Coláiste started strong but soon, Boherbue put us on the back foot and slowly crept ahead. It was a lead they were not to lose and despite a huge effort from the girls in the last quarter of the game to put it back to 23-19, Boherbue took the game.

All in all, this was a great year’s work from our basketballers and our trainers. Our 2nd year girls had strong victories all year, and showed their mettle in many games against larger, stronger opponents. Many of our 1st year girls were playing basketball for the first time and certainly gave an admirable showing, making the final in their first year out.

Well done to all our players and trainers.

JUNIOR BOYS UPDATE

Our 1st and 2nd year boys also saw plenty of action this past week. Following challenge games against Nagle Rice, Doneraile in basketball, we headed back to Mallow to take part in an inter-schools blitz. Despite some shocking weather, our U14 footballers braved the elements to take two wins from two against Coláiste and Chraoibhín and David College, Mallow. Well done to all our players!

EQUESTRIAN COMPETITION

Well done to 5th year student Sandra Carton who represented Coláiste Fionnchua in the Equestrian Interschools competition in Sceilig Equestrian Centre last Friday.