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Interactive Hang-Time News by Email Hoopchat Frequently Asked Questions Killester end Coolock run
ESB Cup, Women's Semi-Finals
Killester 61
Coolock 51Dart Killester took the first spot in the senior women's finals when they defeated Mercy Coolock 61-51 in the opening game of the ESB Cup finals weekend.
Non-league Mercy - shock ousters of Waterford in the last eight - had the chance to open up the scoreline when Eleanor Curran was fouled under the basket. Curran was unable to convert her shots, and after 1½ minutes Kissane put Killester on the score board with a big three-pointer. Curran didn’t miss Mercy’s next opportunity and with 7.20 on the clock, Mercy trailed 2-3. A three pointer from the outstanding Niamh McEvoy put Mercy ahead, but it was basket for basket for the rest of the quarter.
Vanessa Burke had a superb opening quarter for Killester, with two steals, nicely finished with two lay-ups. McEvoy did it all for Mercy hitting 9 of their first quarter points, but Killester finished 18-14 at the end of the first quarter.
Lindsay Peat hit two consecutive baskets in the first 30 seconds of the second quarter and Coolock took a one point lead 91-18. It didn’t last and a basket from Gillian Ennis gave Killester the lead again. With 7 minutes left in the first half, the teams levelled 20-20. Killester pulled away with baskets from Sinead Vaughan and Vanessa Burke and with 3 minutes remaining Killester led 25-21. Niamh McEvoy picked up her third personal foul to put Mercy in a spot of trouble. Killester controlled the rest of the quarter and held a 5pt lead 30-25 at half time.
Coolock stormed back after halftime and hit 12 consecutive points to render Killester scoreless after 5 minutes. Coolock took a 37-30 lead, before they allowed Killester back into the game. A basket from Gillian Ennis and a 3-pointer from Burke took Killester right back into the game and once again Killester led 38-37 with 4 minutes remaining. A foul on Curran allowed Mercy the opportunity to level the game once again, but Curran missed both shots. Her next opportunity wasn’t missed and a jumpshot gave Mercy a 5point lead, 43-38, with 1.35 to go. Mercy did not score for the remainder of the quarter but two free shots from Vanessa Burke reduced Mercy’s lead, 43-41.
Three minutes into the final quarter Burke hit the first of three consecutive 3-pointers and Coolock never got a look in for the remainder. Nine points from Burke followed by another 3-pointer from Emma Pierce and Killester led 56-48. Coolock couldn’t buy an outside basket over the next few minutes, and Killester defence wouldn’t let them in. Kissane went to the free throw line three times in the space of a minute to stretch the lead 58-48. Peat took a rebound with a minute to go to give Mercy their first score in 7 minutes, 51-58. Emer Brophy hit a basket on the buzzer to give Killester a comfortable 10 point victory.
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