Glanmire impress in Women's Super League derby against Fr ...

Catalyst Fr Mathew's 56 The Address UCC Glanmire 76

The Address UCC Glanmire got their third win in the Women's Super League with a comfortable victory after Catalyst Fr Mathews at the Fr Mathew's Arena.

Glanmire has a totally different look this season as they have a very young squad. However, they still have enough quality players with Aine McKenna, Mia Furlong, Annalise Murphy and two very good American players that should have them challenging for honours.

After a very scrappy opening two quarters, Glanmire proved to be more clinical offensively to lead 34-26 at the half. Mathew's weren’t helped when their American Shannon Brady picked up three fouls after three minutes of the second period and had to sit down.

Not to sugarcoat anything for Fr Mathew's performance they were totally disjointed offensively and defensively, but Glanmire coach will be happy with his side’s display as he got vital minutes into his young players.

American player Callie Cavanaugh opened the scoring for Glanmire with a nice jumper from the elbow in the opening minute of the game. Buckets from Shannon Brady and Karin Skapin had Mathews leading 6-5 after four minutes. 

Cavanaugh brought her tally to eight points with two buckets inside the paint for Glanmire to lead 17-14, however, a late basket by Brady had Mathews trailing by the minimum 17-16 at the end of the first quarter.

Glanmire got the perfect start to the second period with a baseline jumper by Callanaugh and a short jumper by Annalise Murphy to lead 21-16. Matthews responded with two Ciara McCarthy baskets. 

However, two huge efforts beyond the arc by Aine McKenna and Murphy had Glanmire leading 29-21 after 14 minutes of play. The amount of turnovers and missed lay-ups from both teams in this period especially Mathews was frightening for a game at this level, as the visitors led 34-26 at the half.

Glanmire raced into an 39-26 lead in the opening minutes of the third quarter with baskets from Cavanaugh and a pull-up jumper by Murphy. 

Baskets by Brady and Grainne Dywer cut the deficit 39-34, but a big three by McKenna had Glanmire leading 46-34 midway through the period. Both sides traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter with Glanmire holding a 54-42 entering the final period.

Mathews opened the last quarter with two baskets by Kyra White and Niamh Dywer to reduce the deficit, 54-48. However, two foul shots by Murphy had Glanmire leading 56-48 after 34 minutes of play. Glanmire increased their lead 67-52 with two breakaway layups by four foul shots by American DeLJanae Williams with two minutes remaining in the game. 

Both sides traded baskets coming down the stretch, however, Glanmire never looked in trouble as they won out on a scoreline 76-56.

Top scorers for Fr Mathew's: Grainne Dwyer 13, Shannon Brady 12, Kyra White 11.

Glanmire: Callie Cavanaugh 26, Aine McKenna 18, Annalise Murphy 15.

CATALYST FR MATHEW'S: Lesley-Ann Wilkinson, Danelle Murphy-O’Riordan, Karin Skapin, Amy Murphy, Ciara McCarthy, Grainne Dwyer, Aisling McCann, Shannon Brady, Kyra White, Amy Corkery, Jessica O’Shea, Niamh Dwyer.

THE ADDRESS UCC GLANMIRE: Aine McKenna, DelJanae Williams, Sinead O’Reilly, Annalise Murphy, Mia Furlong, Lucy Walsh, Jana Schnelle, Emer Dunne, Abby Furlong, Aoife Morrissey, Callie Cavanaugh.

Referees: Palle Persson (Cork), Peter-James Coughlan (Cork).