Under-18 Women’s National Cup Semi Finals
Singleton’s Supervalu Brunell 70 (24) (E Thornton 25, M O'Leary 16, A Waters 10) Meteors 55 (32) (C Mairtin 11, R Toland Burke 9, S Fanning 8)

Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell secured a final place after a gripping tussle with Meteors in the U-18 Women’s semi-final. Brunell ran out 70-55 winners after a blistering third quarter performance which proved too much for their Dublin rivals.

The Cork side made the most of the home support in the opening exchanges, Niamh MacCarthy amongst the scorers as Brunell raced into a 7-3 lead. Meteors responded through Rachel Toland Burke before Edel Thornton struck back for Brunell after a quick counter attack. The longer the quarter progressed, the greater the impression grew that this would be a tight contest. Meteors turned the early deficit around thanks to some nice work from Toland Burke,Cliona Mairtin and Caitriona Murphy. A first quarter high on quality finished 19-15 in favour of Meteors.

Meteors continued their upward trajectory early in the second quarter, quickly stretching the lead out to ten. Brunell needed to fashion a route back into the match and found it through Aisling O’Connor who hit a big three pointer to bring her side back to seven. Meteors were determined to answer any questions posed by the Brunell attack however, and set about re-establishing their supremacy on the scoreboard. Half time 32-24 in favour of Meteors.

Edel Thornton got Brunell off the mark in the third quarter, drawing the foul and making the basket to bring the Cork side to within five. Thornton was on the line again moments later and reduced the gap to three as Brunnell’s challenge began to gather momentum. Captain Megan O’ Leary stepped up to add impetus to the Brunell charge and gave her side the lead with two scores in quick succession. An unlikely nine point swing saw Brunell lead 35-34 midway through the third. Meteors appeared helpless to stem wave after wave of Brunell attacks, their offensive ambitions severely curtailed by the Brunell onslaught. Sarah Fanning struck a vital three for Meteors, just as the hope of a final appearance was beginning to ebb away from the Dublin outfit. Still it was Brunell that held a commanding lead heading into the final quarter 47-37.

O’Leary was an irrepressible figure for Brunell in the second half, her three points at the beginning of the fourth effectively ending the Meteors challenge. Meteors fought bravely to reduce the margin, but the damage was done and Brunell are on their way to the final. Final score 70-55.