From the Side-lines: St Vincent’s Second Years through to the All-Ireland finals
- May 7
- 3 min read
Report by Tynan Lawson - TY
St. Vincent’s Second Year basketball team are following in the footsteps of the older U19s, having won their All-Ireland play-offs today. This puts the team into the national finals. We watched their matches to find out what happened.
Quarter finals - Wexford CBS
The day began at around 10:30 with Vinny's first game against Wexford CBS. Starting for us were David Marzec (7), Riley Dunne (8), Bryant Macasaet (24), Cian Neary (14) and Carlisle Karaan (5). Coach Ms McGroarty told the Newsroom, “I’m feeling confident about the team today. I think the boys, if they keep their spirits up and their energy up, will be well able to beat both teams today.”
An immediate point by Cian set us up for what would be a successful quarter. However, fouls for some of the star players jeopardised our position. We finished the first quarter with a 14-point lead.
That would all be up in the air coming into the second quarter, with a full change in Vinny’s lineup. On the court were now Aleksander Mojekwu (15), Vlad Talasov (0), Jacob Austria, Jian Cruz (22) and Filip Cautisanu (4). Coming into this second quarter, it was obvious by now that it was one player, number 12, who was threatening Vincent’s lead.
In a time-out, Coach Mr O’Sullivan urged the team to be “switched on for the whole quarter”. At the halfway point, Vincent’s had 25 to Wexford’s 19, following a last-minute bucket from Jian Cruz. The 50 or so fans in the stands were now sitting on the edge of their seats. The nerves among the team were becoming apparent.
If Vincent’s didn’t win this match, they would be heading back to class. That was the sentiment echoed by Mr O’Sullivan coming into the third quarter. The coaches switched the lineup again, bringing back some of the first-quarter players. With pressure mounting, the team fought hard, with a notable performance from Cian Neary who managed to score 4 times in a row for the team in the space of a minute.
Onto the fourth quarter, and victory was starting to feel certain. The game would finish on a high note, with St. Vincent’s winning 53-40. Vinny’s we’re now into the semi finals.
Semi-Finals - St. Raphael’s College
For the semis, Vincent’s would be playing St. Raphael’s College of Galway. That team had won 40-35 in their previous game, so Vincent’s would have to put on a good show to secure their spot in the finals.
The game began with the same starting five as the last. Pretty soon, the team realised the immense effort required to win this match. The other team immediately scored, but we fought back. Again, Cian Neary and Carlisle came to the rescue. The quarter ended with Vincent’s up by 5 points.
Coming into the second quarter, the coach’s message was clear: we were lacking in our defense. 5 new players would come on, Vlad Talasov, Aleksander Mojekwu, Filip Cautisanu, Jian Cruz, Jacob Austria. The game would continue to be tight. By the end of the third quarter, we were at 42-32.
It was all or nothing now as Vincent’s entered their fourth quarter. Winning this match would secure a place in the national finals. With four minutes left on the clock, Mr O’Sullivan called a time-out. The aim here: keep pressure to a minimum, no panicking, we are still in control. And so Vincent’s did, in a contentious last few minutes, Vincent’s and Raphael’s exchanged the lead. With last-ditch points scored by Aleksander Mojekwu, Cian Neary and Jian Cruz, Vincent’s secured victory 53-48.
It was a stressful ending, but worth it. Vincent’s second years will now advance to the All-Ireland finals, the second Vinny’s team to do so this year.
Sensational performances from some of the new first years, Jian Cruz, Jacob Austria and Carlisle Karaan were key to the win today. The MVP is undoubtedly Cian Neary. Coming into the first game, he told the Newsroom the team was “very excited” to be playing today, with his hopes on getting into the final. That, thanks to exceptional teamwork from the second years, has now been achieved.
Next up for Vinny’s Second Years: The All-Ireland Finals
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