St Paul’s Pacers just miss out on AllIreland Title
BY ADMIN · MAY 8, 2015
On the 7th of May, St Paul’s second year boys basketball team travelled to the
National Basketball Arena in Tallaght to play in the All Ireland semi-final. Having
won the regional and group qualifiers, hopes were high. The boys were prepped and
ready to go and with a bus full of fellow pupils behind them they had more than
enough support.
SEMI-FINAL:
Their semi-final was against St. Kevins of Kells, Co Meath. In the first quarter there
was some impressive dribbling from Adam Kavanagh who repeatedly created great
scoring opportunities for his team mates. With James Melia Byrne and Dylan
Kavanagh moving the ball in the right direction the boys quickly established a lead.
The opposition tried to make inroads but great defensive work from Dara Lovern and
Mark Kelly saw St Pauls lead after the first quarter by 4 points. The second five took
to the court and hit the ground running with some really good scores from Adam
Ryan and Jack Treacy. Keeping the Meath boys at bay were Michael Babalola, Conor
Perry and Brian Day while at the same time creating space to keep us on top, leading
23 to 13 at half time. The two teams exchanged scores in the third and fourth quarter
with super defensive displays by both. The two Adams kept the scores coming and
with the clock ticking down the St Paul’s boys won on a final score of 44-32. The boys
were through to the final.
FINAL:
There was an air of nervous excitement going into the final against St Peters of
Dunboyne, Co Meath. The final did not disappoint and kept everyone on the edge of
their seat. In a first quarter that saw St Peters race into an 8-2 lead, the St Paul’s boys
scored 8 unanswered points to lead by 2 at the break. The second quarter saw the
pendulum swing in the favour of the Meath team and they led by 2 at half time. The
third quarter saw Adam Kavanagh score some tremendous three pointers for St
Paul’s and the margin remained at 2 going into the last quarter. Both teams were
tired but the quality of basketball remained very high. With some great rebounds
from Adam Ryan and Mark Kelly and a superb three pointer from Kavanagh, St
Paul’s found themselves 5 points ahead with three minutes left. With time and the
scoreboard against them, somehow St Peter’s found an extra gear and drove at the
Monasterevin defence. They scored four unanswered points and with seconds
remaining they got the all important score to edge them in front. There wasn’t
enough time for the boys from St Paul’s to get down the other end. The final whistle
came too soon with the final score 42-41 and there was joyous scenes from the Meath
team and supporters but utter disappointment for the St Paul’s boys.
It was a tremendous achievement to get to the All Irelands and to get so close to the
silverware. St Paul’s second year boys basketballers went home devastated as All
Ireland Runners-Up but true champions in our eyes.
By: Erin Meredith 2A1
2nd Year Boys’ Basketball
The second year boys had big wins in the group stage, beating Kildare Town C.S,
Colaiste Cíarán of Castledermot and Piper’s Hill Naas. They went on to play Mercy
Ballymahon from Longford and won well with scores from almost every player. The
team then went on to play Ard scoil Trínóide of Athy. At the end of the first quarter
the score was 11-6 and in the second half Athy scored another 3 points and Paul’s
were held scoreless. Jack Treacy sacrificed his game to defend Athy’s strongest
player, getting fouled out in the last few minutes. Michael Babalola led the team
scoring 14 points (two three pointers) and kept the ball moving in the right direction.
Our two first year boys Adam Ryan (10 points) and Stephen Colgan (4 points) played
a huge part in keeping our lead. Every player had a very important role that day,
Dara Lovern scored his free throw when we needed it, Conor Perry and Mark Kelly
made sure that the defence was kept solid, Thomas Kelly, Dylan Kavanagh and
James Melia-Byrne kept the ball moving and put it in the right position. In a very
tense fourth quarter Paul’s only led by two points but Babalola’s second three pointer
gave the boys the boost they needed and they pulled away with three minutes to go.
Final score of 33-17. They now go on to the All-Ireland play offs at the end of April
where they will be rejoined by another star player, Adam Kavanagh.
St Paul’s Win Girl's Midland
Basketball Title!
MARCH 23, 2015
2nd Year Girls’ Basketball
On Friday 20th March our second year girls
finished off a
year double success by claiming the Midlands ‘C’ title, a title the
boys had claimed earlier in the week. This was the second year in a row for the school
to win the title at this grade. After group victories over Scoil Criost Ri, Mountrath
C.S. and Heywood C.S. and a semi final win over Borrisokance C.S. we faced rivals
Castledermot in the final. Our senior girls had beaten Castledermot in their final
earlier on in the year so they were looking to gain revenge.
2nd
St. Pauls started the first quarter well and some great dribbling by Thea Kemmy
created some shooting chances for Jade Lawlor, Clodagh Colgan, Eimear Mulhall and
Afric Doyle. The girls came in leading 8-6 at the end of the first quarter. The second
quarter was a tougher match for us and our girls struggled to create any scoring
opportunities while also being worked hard in defence. Good work in defence from
Erin Meredith, Rachel Ryan, Nicole Heavey, Sophie Cunningham and Alanna Dillion
Baker kept Castledermot scoring at a minimum and the quarter finished
Castledermot 12, St. Pauls 8.
The 2nd half was a battle with end to end action in both quarters. We managed to
draw leavel after good rebound work by Rachel Ryan and Sophie Cunningham.
Castledermot then pulled one basket clear with one minute remaining on the clock.
Great work by all girls resulted in an equaliser being scored and extra time was now
facing us.
The 3 minute period of extra time was as tight as the previous quarters with St. Pauls
going one basket clear. Despite Castledermot having several free throws to level the
game they could not convert and the final whistle saw ST. Pauls crowned champions
much to the delight of all involved.
Jade Lawlor was presented with the cup and the girls now look forward to the playoffs to be held on the 26th April in a location yet to be announced.
St Pauls in TWO midlands finals!!
MARCH 9, 2015
2nd Year Basketball GIRLS
St Paul’s: 24
Borrisokane CS 11
After group wins over Scoil Chríost Rí, Mountrath CS and Heywood CS, we were
pitted against Borrisokane CS from Tipperary. Our girls got off to a good start and
led 11-4 after the first quarter due to some great outside shots from Jade Lawlor and
good work by ball carrier Thea Kemmy.
Our second 5 girls also dominated their quarter and continued to build up a good
lead with Nicky Heavey, Rachel Ryan and Sophie Cunningham all getting on the
scoresheet
The 2nd half continued in the same way and the girls ran out comfortable winners.
Panel: Jade Lawlor, Thea Kemmy, Alana Baker, Rachel Ryan, Sophie Cunningham,
Erin Meredith, Afric Doyle, Nicole Heavey, Eimear Mulhall, Stacey Heavey, Clodagh
Colgan, Emily Carroll, Jessica Smullen, Saoirse McConn, Shelby Griffiths, Debbie
Harrison.