Portlaoise Black get the better of Masters in Panthers basketball derby

Portlaoise Black 79 Portlaoise Masters 66
Midland Basketball League 

Everybody loves a derby, especially when it’s a Portlaoise Panthers derby!

The Portlaoise Masters took on Portlaoise Black in St Mary’s Hall at the weekend and it had all the ingredients of the brilliantly entertaining game. 

There were three pointers from all over the court, legends playing legends, young guns versus sheer experience and the return of Catherine Ashe.

There were too many legends on the court to keep up with the sides’ third meeting of the season between league and cup games, it had the makings of a great game. 

It was a close game for atleast three quarters despite the second quarter when Portlaoise Black took a large lead, but the Masters fought their way back.

Ciara Byrne, Shauna Burke and Sarah Fleming all hit super scores for Portlaoise Black but a brilliant game came from Attracta Phelan who lead the Masters with 25 points to her name, and she had all the answers for the Black side.

Lisa Clancy and Ann-Marie Troy ensured the Masters were showing their experience on the court and hit scores to leave points between the sides. 

Portlaoise Black held the lead at the end of the first quarter and helped by Fleming, Roisín O’Connell and Shauna Mulhall, they lead by twenty points at half time.

The Masters brought their expertise to the court for the second half of the game and pulled it back to just four points in the final quarter. 

Portlaoise Black were under much pressure in the second half  and shooting from Phelan hitting shot after shot as well as strong rebounding under the basket from Jackie Coleman and Ann Marie Troy left few scores between the sides with minutes to go. 

The game then saw the return of club legend, Catherine Ashe  (O’Sullivan) who was introduced to the court for the first time this season having recently had her baby. 

Jasmine Burke, Shauna Burke and Sarah Fleming stepped up for the young guns and kept them in the lead.

The brilliant shooting from Attracta Phelan raised red flags for the Black side accompanied by scores from Lisa Clancy, Pam Grogan and Olive Maher. 

Panthers Black held on to take a 13 point win in what was another great derby of superb Panthers teams. 

Scorers: Portlaoise Black – Sarah Fleming; 22, Lorraine McCormack; 14,, Jasmine Burke; 12, Ciara Byrne; 10, Shauna Burke; 10, Roisin O’Connell; 6, Shauna Mulhall; 5 Portlaoise Masters – Attracta Phelan; 25, Lisa Clancy; 13, Ann Connolly; 8, Jackie Coleman; 7, Pam Grogan; 4,  Olive Maher; 2, Ann Marie Troy; 2, Grainne Tomlinson; 2, Claire Foyle; 2

Portlaoise Black: Shauna Burke, Jasmine Burke, Jade Burke, Roisín O’Connell, Aedín Dunne, Shauna Mulhall, Lorraine McCormack, Ciara Byrne, Sarah Fleming, Jessie Preston, Shauna Dooley, Ann Fingleton 

Portlaoise Masters: Ann Marie Troy, Claire Foyle, Lisa Clancy, Ann Connolly, Jackie Coleman, Attracta Phelan, Pam Grogan, Catherine Ashe, Grainne Tomlinson, Olive Maher

SEE ALSO – 100 bed nursing home for next phase of Portlaoise development

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