KILRUSH COMMUNITY school came up narrowly short in their efforts for All-Ireland basketball glory.
On Thursday last, the school’s U19 ladies basketball side travelled to Neptune Stadium in Cork for the All-Ireland schools final against Coláiste Bhríde of Carnew.
Quarter-final and semi-final wins in Athea at the beginning of February saw them qualify for the All-Ireland decider. In advance of the final, there was a wave of local support within the school community.
It was an early start with the squad leaving Kilrush at 07:30 and they arrived to a packed arena, before focusing in on their own game they cheered on St Flannan’s College, Ennis, in the U16 boys decider.
After the anthem and final instructions, Carnew’s height and early composure told. Kilrush found scores hard to come by in the opening quarter and trailed 3-11. The gap widened to 9-21 at half-time, with Carnew punishing second chances and knocking down long-range threes.
Kilrush’s best spell came after the break, moving the ball well and cutting the deficit (15-27 after third quarter). They fought to the buzzer, but Carnew’s outside shooting proved decisive, 20-34.
Despite defeat, reaching a national final, training without a full-size court west of the Ennistymon-Kildysart line, is a remarkable achievement. The side was coached by Paul McGibney along with teachers Ailish Brew and Orla Madigan.
