Women’s Premier League Draws To A Thrilling Conclusion

Team Montenotte Hotel secured the Women’s Premier League title for the second year in a row with a 77 to 64-point win over Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell in Galway at the weekend. In the all-Cork battle, it was Niamh Dwyer who inspired the winning side with some vital baskets in the opening half to push them to a 37 to 32-point lead after the second quarter. In what was a close and competitive game, Brunell – who were playing their first ever league decider – held their own, closing a 20-point gap back to just eight. It was an all-Cork affair in Galway on Saturday. However, in the third quarter, the 2014 champions took the game by the reins and upped the tempo, outscoring Brunell 23 points to seven. Despite late pressure from Brunell, Montenotte held strong to run out 13-point winners and make their mark in the history books, joining UL Huskies and Wildcats of Waterford at the top of the roll of honour for league titles. Speaking after the game, winning Head Coach Mark Scannell was thrilled for his side. “Finals are hard to win and we found a way to win one tonight. Gráinne Dwyer and Marie Breen maybe don’t get the credit they deserve as they’re guarding big strong Americans and that’s very difficult to do for Irish players." Winners! Gráinne Dwyer, Niamh Dwyer and Claire Rockall. “Niamh [Dwyer] hung in there for us early on when no one was hitting shots,” he added. Elsewhere, UL Huskies had the better of Pyrobel Killester in the Women’s Premier League shield final – winning by 67 to 53. Meanwhile, in the Women’s Division One league final, Oblate Dynamos caused an upset when they overcame Portlaoise Panthers on a 63 to 59 scoreline.