Coláiste na Carraige girls under-16 basketball team are celebrating an All-Ireland title following Thursday's 44-36 victory over Coláiste Dún an Rí (Cavan) in the All-Ireland Schools U16 'C' final, at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
The Donegal girls to hold off a spirited comeback from their Cavan opponents, who trailed by 11 at the midway point in the third but got to within four inside the final three minutes.
MVP Alanna Boyle scored two crucial buckets in the last 90 seconds to close the game out.
Erin Shannon and Karina Urbanaviciute showed up well for Coláiste Dún An Rí in the opening possessions - the latter making a nice jump shot from the key sandwiched between three fast break baskets for Shannon.
Colaiste Na Carraige entered the second quarter 10-6 down, but a trio of quickfire scores by Alanna Boyle and Laura Boyle restored parity at the halfway mark.
The momentum was entirely with Colaiste Na Carraige at this stage and further baskets by Saoirse O’Donnell and the two Boyle’s eased them into a 20-15 lead at the break.
The second half was a more tense affair. Clodagh Ellis found herself on the end of a nice passing move with 2:27 left in the third and Colaiste Na Carraige’s lead became 11 points. It looked as if the game was beyond Coláiste Dún An Rí, but back they came once more.
Erin Shannon and Aoife Kennedy made jumpers and when Urbanaviciute hit a corner three to end the third, they were right back in it, 32-26 down.
The lively Urbanaviciute was to the fore once more when the gap decreased to 4 points with 2:30 left on the clock, notching her 13th point of the contest in doing so. However, that is as close as they could get.
Alanna Boyle showed all the skill and determination that made her MVP to hit the dagger with two late scores off Colaiste Dún An Rí turnovers, sparking wild celebrations from their travelling support.
