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EMYVALE
U14 Boys
U14 Boys: Donagh 33pts Tyrone Towers 20pts
The Donagh Boys wanted to guarantee a home semi final and after winning this nervous match they did just about enough to secure that. This U14 team has so much promise and potential but seem to lack that killer instinct which is and will be vital if they are to compete with the very best teams. This game was no exception.
The first five of Shane Gilbane, Michael O’Brien, Ben McKenna, James McKenna and Robbie McAlister took to the floor and while they played very well they struggled with the Dungannon inside players. In a see saw first quarter Donagh edged in front 10 -8.
Luckily for Donagh the second five of Michael McAlister, Ciaran Wynsrig, Oisin Campbell, Johnny Hughes and Leonard McDermott took the opportunity against a slightly weaker Dungannon five and with Johnny in fine form they steam rolled Towers out scoring them 14-2 in the quarter to leave the half time score 24-10.
But as has been the case all season our boys were unable to finish the game off, and instead of what should have a one sided quarter allowed Dungannon right back into the game. Oisin Murphy ran into foul trouble at this stage and Dungannon made use of the free shots scoring 5 in this period. Score at the end of the 3rd quarter 26-19. Game on.
Donagh did regain their composure and slowly but surely cut out the Towers threat and converted their own chances slightly better. On another day against a better team, this performance would not be enough but for now Donagh have safely secured a home semi final spot with two games still remaining. But there is plenty of room for improvement. Final score was 33pts to 25pts.
Team and scores: J. Hughes 8pts,C. Wynsrig 5pts, R. McAlister 4pts, J. McKenna 4pts, M. McAlister 4pts, M.O’Brien 2pts, B. McKenna 2 pts, L. McDermott 2 pts, S. Gilbane 2 pts, O. Murphy, O. Campbell.
U 14 Boys Donagh 39pts Letterkenny Blaze 32pts
Donagh won comfortably when they played earlier in the season in Letterkenny but this was a closer affair. Letterkenny had the edge with height and had some good ball handlers but Donagh held the edge on the scoring stakes and took their share of rebounds against taller players. Donagh started with James Gallagher, debutant Leonard McDermott, James McKenna, Ben McKenna and Michael O'Brien but it was Blaze who started strongly looking to drive through the Donagh defence at every opportunity and scoring some good baskets. Donagh replied through James McKenna with a good shot and with Donagh's passing game working well, Michael O'Brien scored a great basket with his customary fake and drive. Two great baskets from Ben and another from James McKenna kept Donagh just one point ahead at the end of the first quarter which went tit for tat on the scoreboard. Score was Donagh 12 – Blaze 11.
Donagh started the second quarter with Oisin Campbell, Johnny Hughes, Ciaran Wynsrig, Robbie and Michael McAllister. The home side was stronger defensively with Michael leading from the front. Johnny and Michael registered two good scores with Blaze struggling to reply. Oisin Murphy and Raivadas Lasas joined the battle and worked hard. Michael drove to the basket to complete the scoring for the second quarter Donagh 18 – Blaze 13.
Third quarter Donagh started James Gallagher, James McKenna, Michael O'Brien, Oisin Campbell and Michael McAllister, Blaze fielded their strongest five and battle ensued. Donagh were giving away too many fouls but were working very hard. Michael O'Brien and James McKenna bagged two baskets each to keep Donagh ahead and when Ben McKenna and Johnny Hughes came back in, they both contributed great scores and worked tirelessly. Ciaran and Raivadas subbed back in and kept the pressure on while Michael McAllister rounded off the scoring for the third quarter. Donagh 32 – Blaze 23.
Final Quarter Donagh started Leonard, James McKenna, Oisin Murphy, Ciaran Wynsrig and Robbie McAllister. Blaze pressed hard to close the gap and the Donagh lads were under pressure to maintain their lead. Ciaran scored from a rebound and Robbie scored from outside and from a good drive. Blaze kept the pressure on with scores of their own and the lead was down to 5 points. James Gallagher, Michael O'Brien, Oisin Campbell and Michael McAllister subbed back in and fittingly Leonard got his first basket as a Donagh player after a great debut. Donagh held out in a tight finish to win 39 – 32.
Team and Scorers; James McKenna 8pts, Michael O Brien 8pts, Ben McKenna 6pts, Michael McAlister 6pts, Johnny Hughes 4pts, Robbie McAlister 4pts, Leonard McDermott 2pts, Ciaran Wynsrig 2pts, Raivadas Lasas, James Gallagher, Oisin Murphy and Oisin Campbell.
The Donagh Boys wanted to guarantee a home semi final and after winning this nervous match they did just about enough to secure that. This U14 team has so much promise and potential but seem to lack that killer instinct which is and will be vital if they are to compete with the very best teams. This game was no exception.
The first five of Shane Gilbane, Michael O’Brien, Ben McKenna, James McKenna and Robbie McAlister took to the floor and while they played very well they struggled with the Dungannon inside players. In a see saw first quarter Donagh edged in front 10 -8.
Luckily for Donagh the second five of Michael McAlister, Ciaran Wynsrig, Oisin Campbell, Johnny Hughes and Leonard McDermott took the opportunity against a slightly weaker Dungannon five and with Johnny in fine form they steam rolled Towers out scoring them 14-2 in the quarter to leave the half time score 24-10.
But as has been the case all season our boys were unable to finish the game off, and instead of what should have a one sided quarter allowed Dungannon right back into the game. Oisin Murphy ran into foul trouble at this stage and Dungannon made use of the free shots scoring 5 in this period. Score at the end of the 3rd quarter 26-19. Game on.
Donagh did regain their composure and slowly but surely cut out the Towers threat and converted their own chances slightly better. On another day against a better team, this performance would not be enough but for now Donagh have safely secured a home semi final spot with two games still remaining. But there is plenty of room for improvement. Final score was 33pts to 25pts.
Team and scores: J. Hughes 8pts,C. Wynsrig 5pts, R. McAlister 4pts, J. McKenna 4pts, M. McAlister 4pts, M.O’Brien 2pts, B. McKenna 2 pts, L. McDermott 2 pts, S. Gilbane 2 pts, O. Murphy, O. Campbell.
U 14 Boys Donagh 39pts Letterkenny Blaze 32pts
Donagh won comfortably when they played earlier in the season in Letterkenny but this was a closer affair. Letterkenny had the edge with height and had some good ball handlers but Donagh held the edge on the scoring stakes and took their share of rebounds against taller players. Donagh started with James Gallagher, debutant Leonard McDermott, James McKenna, Ben McKenna and Michael O'Brien but it was Blaze who started strongly looking to drive through the Donagh defence at every opportunity and scoring some good baskets. Donagh replied through James McKenna with a good shot and with Donagh's passing game working well, Michael O'Brien scored a great basket with his customary fake and drive. Two great baskets from Ben and another from James McKenna kept Donagh just one point ahead at the end of the first quarter which went tit for tat on the scoreboard. Score was Donagh 12 – Blaze 11.
Donagh started the second quarter with Oisin Campbell, Johnny Hughes, Ciaran Wynsrig, Robbie and Michael McAllister. The home side was stronger defensively with Michael leading from the front. Johnny and Michael registered two good scores with Blaze struggling to reply. Oisin Murphy and Raivadas Lasas joined the battle and worked hard. Michael drove to the basket to complete the scoring for the second quarter Donagh 18 – Blaze 13.
Third quarter Donagh started James Gallagher, James McKenna, Michael O'Brien, Oisin Campbell and Michael McAllister, Blaze fielded their strongest five and battle ensued. Donagh were giving away too many fouls but were working very hard. Michael O'Brien and James McKenna bagged two baskets each to keep Donagh ahead and when Ben McKenna and Johnny Hughes came back in, they both contributed great scores and worked tirelessly. Ciaran and Raivadas subbed back in and kept the pressure on while Michael McAllister rounded off the scoring for the third quarter. Donagh 32 – Blaze 23.
Final Quarter Donagh started Leonard, James McKenna, Oisin Murphy, Ciaran Wynsrig and Robbie McAllister. Blaze pressed hard to close the gap and the Donagh lads were under pressure to maintain their lead. Ciaran scored from a rebound and Robbie scored from outside and from a good drive. Blaze kept the pressure on with scores of their own and the lead was down to 5 points. James Gallagher, Michael O'Brien, Oisin Campbell and Michael McAllister subbed back in and fittingly Leonard got his first basket as a Donagh player after a great debut. Donagh held out in a tight finish to win 39 – 32.
Team and Scorers; James McKenna 8pts, Michael O Brien 8pts, Ben McKenna 6pts, Michael McAlister 6pts, Johnny Hughes 4pts, Robbie McAlister 4pts, Leonard McDermott 2pts, Ciaran Wynsrig 2pts, Raivadas Lasas, James Gallagher, Oisin Murphy and Oisin Campbell.