Donabate CC – 36
Larkin CC – 30
Last week our junior basketball team won their semi-final against Larkin CC. In a tremendous game, DCC fought hard to secure the victory. However, disaster struck in the warm-up as Valentine Mbanefo got injured which ruled him out of the contest. This was a huge loss for the team but they showed resilience and determination to secure victory.
Donabate had a fast start by making plays and tracking on defence, Adam O’Sullivan opened up the game by making the first score. He turned over the ball, made a fast break and scored a lay-up for 2 points, putting DCC ahead.
Equal to the challenge, the opponents upped a gear and shut out fast breaks and scored on the counter-attack. At this point in the game tactical changes by Ms.Gallagher refocused the team.
Jack Redmond started the third quarter strongly by getting a rebound and a number of well-taken scores. However, to their credit, Larkin CC showed no signs of throwing in the towel and continued to attack the Donabate defence.
The sides were evenly matched at the start of the fourth quarter but Donabate were not going to be beaten and went on to book their place in the final. Our boys fought hard to secure the victory and make it to the final of the school league. We wish Valentine all the best with his recovery. DCC will face Blackrock College in the final on Friday 29th November at 11:10 am in Oblate Hall. We wish Ms Gallagher and all the team the very best of luck!
Donabate CC: Aaron Brady, Finn Donovan, Ben Hanlon, Luke Hannigan, Rory Kellard, Valentine Mbanefo, Luke Mitchell, Adam O’Sullivan, Jack Redmond, Daniel Stanford, Jamie Whelan, Dylan Whyte.
By Sean Darcy & Daniel Ryan, TY Journalism