Heywood girls 2nd year basketball team were crowned All Ireland champions after defeating Dingle by 34-31 in Tallaght on Tuesday.
The girls battled relentlessly throughout the tournament to earn the opportunity to play in Tallaght where both the semi final and final were being held on April 30 .
In their way from a spot in the finals was St Nathy’s Roscommon. However, Heywood were too strong and were on top throughout – running out deserving 38-23 winners.
With the wind at the backs and confidence high after a convincing win, the girls faced Dingle in the final.
They started off the final as they finished the semi; on top. They ended the first quarter 5 points to the good.
They continued this trend into the 2nd quarter, strong defensive displays strengthened their lead marginally to 13-7.
As the 3rd quarter wore on the game began to open up and both teams began to find their range, both teams scoring 11 each as the lead remained unchanged at 24-18.
However this scoring spree afforded confidence to a chasing Dingle outfit.
They clawed back the deficit and found themselves three points ahead with two minutes left to play.
It was the first time Heywood were behind in the game and tough questions were being asked of them but Grainne Dowling was there to answer them.
Her impressive score restored a marginal lead for her team.
This mentality was adopted by the entire team as the girls gave one last push to see out the game.
Aideen Gee drove towards the basket in the closing stages, being fouled in the process and held her nerve from the free throw line to extend Heywood’s lead.
Relentless determination proceeded from the team and they held out victors 34-31.
Team: Aideen Gee, Grainne Dowling, Niamh Kehoe, Kiera Gorman, Kate Kenna, Alison Kenna, Aoibhean Kelly, Kate Wheatley, Riona Kennedy, Aisling Gonzalez, Emma Walsh, Alanagh Fenelon, Laura McDonald, Freya Jones, Sienna Shore, Aoibheann Lalor, Clodagh Cahill, Caitlin Burke, Aoife Galwey.
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