Athboy girls enjoy success

Athboy Cobras ladies basketball team did the double at the weekend by winning the North Eastern Basketball League and the Top Four finals in Longford to end a 10-year wait for silverware for the Meath club. The Cobras defeated Longford Torpedoes 58-48 in an enthralling Top Four tournament final. There was nothing between the two sides during the league campaign as both sides had one win, but the Athboy girls claimed the league crown on aggregate scores. With a trophy already under their belts, Cobras had the confidence ahead of last weekend's finals, but as tournament hosts Longford were considered as favourites. A tentative opening quarter saw both sides miss a lot of shots before settling. However, Cobras found their groove and were ahead 16-12 at the end of the first-quarter. The second-quarter continued in much the same vein, but instead Longford were in the ascendancy and pulled the scores level by half time, 23-23. Cobras broke the game open in the third-quarter on foot of some superb defensive play. Julianne Scanlon put on a phenomenal rebounding display. Bernie McCormack, Jenny Healy and Mary Foley aggressively patrolled the passing lanes, not allowing Longford to settle in their offence and converting turnovers into points on the break. With the score at 43-35 entering the fourth-quarter that elusive first Top Four title looked like becoming a reality. Ciara Kennedy earned and converted a free throw that put Athboy 11 points ahead with five minutes to play. Longford went to a full court press defence and managed to cut the lead to seven. However, McCormack silenced the home support with three points from the left wing to put Cobras up by 10 and finally break the Longford resistance. Mary Foley's excellent all-round performance saw her named as Most Valuable Player. Both titles were well deserved after a year of hard work and dedication from all 11 girls in the squad.