St. Mel’s senior team recorded a famous win over the mighty St. Malachy’s College, Belfast in the last-16 of the All-Ireland schools league recently.
Although the visitors scored the opening basket; that was the only time that they led in the game.
St. Mel’s opened an eight point lead in the first-quarter built on excellent defence, the lead was later closed to a single point by the northern kingpins.
St. Mel’s regrouped and went 10-points up late in the third-quarter. Indeed, an unbelievable fade-away buzzer-beating three point shot by the visiting captain went in off the backboard, reducing the lead to seven points at the end of the third-quarter.
The final period was tense with both teams increasing defensive intensity with a resulting high foul count for both sides.
Using the bench to victory
However, Mel’s showed the greater composure down the stretch. Using the bench, Mel’s were able to stay in control to record a well-deserved victory 60-57.
Indeed, this was perhaps the biggest basketball game ever played in St. Mel’s and the significance of this win should not be underestimated!
St. Malachy’s were All-Ireland League Senior A champions in 2019 and 2020. Schools Cup Winners in 2022 and they will play this season’s Cup final later this month against Colaiste Eanna.
St. Mel’s advance to the All-Ireland quarter-finals this Wednesday facing kingpins St. Fintan’s Sutton. The game will be staged at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
All Ireland Colleges Senior A League quarter-finals this Wednesday; 1. Crescent College Limerick v Saint Andrews Dublin at 11am. 2. Mercy Mounthawk Tralee v Rathmore Grammar School Belfast at 11am. 3. Saint Mels College Longford v Saint Fintans Sutton (Dublin) at 12-30pm. 4. Colaiste Eanna Dublin v SPSL Rathmore Kerry at 1-45pm.
Semi-finals: Winner of quarter-finals 1 v 2 at 3pm. Winner of quarter-finals 3 v 4 at 4-15pm.
