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Donagh Throw it Away

U 14 BOYS.  DONAGH 24pts Lisburn C. 28pts

Next up were the 14 boys who were also playing their 2nd match of the season and would have been expected to win comfortably as they have always beaten this Lisburn side through the age groups. Unfortunately they were in for a shock.

 Donagh started with Shane Gilbane, Michael McAllister, Ben McKenna, James Gallagher and Michael O Brien and boy did they mean business. Their play was so good with Shane Gilbane posting up well and rebounding strongly and he hit the first basket with a lay-up from the post.  With good passing and movemnet Donagh dominated play and Michael McAllister registered the next score.  Scores from Michael O Brien and Shane put Donagh up 7 – 0.  The best passing move of the match resulted in a lay-up from Michael McAllister.  Emmet Campbell came on for James and Ben went to the free throw line with no luck.  Michael finished the quarter with another lay-up from a break. Donagh blew Lisburn away and led by 13pts to nil.

Second quarter Donagh started with Robbie McAllister, James McKenna, Oisin Campbell, Ciaran Winsryg and Johnny Hughes. Lisburn held their strongest five to this quarter and suprised the Donagh lads with their play.  Donagh struggled with errors and travelling violations Lisburn got their first basket followed by a score from Robbie.  A free shot from James brought the score to 16-2. Then Donagh collapsed and let Lisburn right back into the game and they capitalised to bring the score to 16-13. Ciaran scored with a good rebound and the quarter finished 18-13.

The third quarter followed the same trend with Lisburn dominating play and Donagh's great passing game a distant memory. Michael, James, Shane, Michael O Brien and Ben tried hard but errors and poor passing hurt us. A Michael O Brien shot was our only score and the quarter finished with a slender 20-19 lead

Donagh started the last quarter with Ciaran, Michael, James, Johnny and Michael O Brien.  Two free throws and a great outside shot from Michael O Brien gave Donagh a great start and what should have been a very important lead, but Lisburn were not finished and they deservedly took the lead 24-25 with 6 unanswered points.  With the result in the balance the Donagh boys lost their composure and struggled with the physicallity of their opponents. Two “technical” and one “unsportsmanlike” fouls on the home side tells its own storey, you can’t loose your discipline in a basketball match and hope to win it. Final score Donagh 24 – Lisburn 28.  No lack of effort from Donagh who must learn how to get the result in tight games.