39TH CHRISTMAS BLITZ

Division 1 Mens

Men’s Division 1 Final

Killarney saints too good for Castleisland sinners as handy Andy shines.

St Pauls 24   St Marys 21

 By Murt Murphy

In the Men’s Division 1 final St Pauls Killarney defeated St Marys in a thriller winning 24-21, with Andrew Fitzgerald top scoring for the winners with 14 points.

It was all St Pauls early on as Andrew Fitzgerald drained four baskets and James Boo Boo Fleming converted two free throws for an intentional called on Maurice Casey. 

Young Conor Brosnan with two from the free throw line was St Mary’s only reply as St Pauls jumped 10-2 in front with just 2.30 left on the clock.

However St Marys roared on by a partisan home crowd rallied before half time with Joe Watson nailing a three and Liam Brosnan with two from the charity line left St Pauls 12-7 in front at the interval. 

St Marys made their move early in the second half, with Joe Watson draining a big three followed by a two pointer and despite a Shane Horgan free throw, it Liam Brosnan with two on the trot that saw St Marys lead 16-13 with 7.00 left in the game. 

Castleisland native then drove a stake through his alma mater with a three pointer to level and when Keith O’Grady hit another big three from outside, St Pauls gained a decisive edge at the right time. Liam Brosnan levelled with a three pointer with just 1.40 left but Andrew Fitzgerald restored St Paul ’s narrow lead and Paudie Fleming made the game safe from the free throw line.

Top scorers

St Pauls: A Fitzgerald 14, P Fleming 4, K O’Grady 3

St Marys: J Watson 8, L Brosnan 7, C Brosnan 4

HEIGHTS HOTEL. 39TH BLITZ DIVISION 1 MENS CHAMPIONS