Report by Conor Dean and Tadgh Doran
1st year match
A brilliant game for the neutrals as both teams were very evenly matched but KTCS were the winners on the day, Scoil Dara were very unlucky, but a great effort was put in by the team regardless.
KTCS were able to take an early lead as they were able to score a layup to open the scoring. KTCS add to their lead as they converted 2/2 free throws. Scoil Dara were able to get themselves off the mark as Sean Hoey made an excellent steal and drew a blocking foul, resulting in Scoil Dara scoring a well worked 2 pointer scored by Sean Hoey just as the quarter came to an end.
Great passing between Kyle Shannon and Alex Cramer led to a brilliant 2 pointer. Scoil Dara then followed this up with another 2 pointer following a steal from Alex Cramer who gave the ball to Kyle Shannon who calmly finished it off. Great defense from Scoil Dara for the whole quarter held KTCS scoreless in the 2nd quarter and the half time score was 10 points to 6.
KTCS started the half well scoring a couple of two pointers as Scoil Dara were forced to suffer heavy pressure early on. A brilliant solo 2 pointer for Scoil Dara broke this pressure as Alex cuts in and put the ball through the hoop confidently to close the gap.
As Scoil Dara continued to play well the game came down to a tense finale. As time was running down a great score from Kelvin YeoluwaOsunmo brought Scoil Dara within two points of KTCS but unfortunately they could not get the final score to take the lead.
A very unlucky result for Scoil Dara as they were able to reduce KTCSs lead down to just two points but were unfortunate not to get the result they deserved.
A tough loss for Scoil Dara as the score line did not reflect the performance that the team produced
An early layup scored by KTCS set the tone for the game as they got off to a fast start. KTCS kept up the pressure and scored 6 more points before Scoil Dara got their first basket. Strong defense and rebounding from Godswill Amiagyei and Rapolas Tamulis kept Scoil Dara in the game and led to a crucial steal that then allowed Scoil Dara to get their first score of the game through Will Doherty.
KTCS continued to dominate the game as they were able to make two layups in quick succession as the Scoil Dara defense was unable to slow down the KTCS offence.
Scoil Dara started the 3rd quarter strong as Aiden Leonard made a brilliant two pointer. Again, great defense from Rapolas Tamulis which included a great steal and a crucial rebound to stop the second ball from falling to a KTCS player, showed the battling spirit of Scoil Dara. Then he followed an excellent individual bit of magic from Luke Thompson as he was able to make a great steal and go on to score a great layup.
Scoil Dara continued to play hard but KTCS continued to put them under heavy pressure and pushed on to win the game by 19 points.
A valiant effort put in by Scoil Dara as they showed great fight and determination against a very strongopposition; credit goes to KTCS as they played excellently throughout.