Ger Noonan comes in around the back despite the cover
Abrakebabra Tralee Tigers 40 - Mustang Sally's St. Paul's Killarney 30
Paul’s Must“ang” on as Tigers take Premier
title. Liz
Galwey reports
The
Premier men’s final was very much the “Match of the Day”
Mustang
Sally’s opened the scoring with two points from Player of the tournament
Matthew Hillery. Tigers James Mooney was quick to respond with two and from here
to the final whistle the game was a thriller.
Ger
Noonan comes in around the back despite the cover
Justin Wingard and Antonio Cool dominated for St. Paul’s, Wingard having scored nine of St. Paul’s 14 point first half total. While Wilder Auguste also managed nine points for Abrakababra Tigers in the first half.
St.
Paul’s trailed by ten points until a three on the buzzer from Cool left the
half-time score at 21 points to 14.
Tigers
Dave Fanning and John Teahan opened with two each to further increase the Tralee
sides lead but Wingard and Ger Noonan kept St. Paul’s in touch while Jarleth
Lee produced a three to make the game interesting once again. Mooney who had a
brilliant game for Tigers made three and got a bonus but a quick steal by Ger
Noonan set Wingard up for two leaving only six points between the sides.
The game now had the buzz of a premier final and the crowd responded
accordingly. 2.49 remained on the clock, neither team having made a score in
over sixty seconds.
Justin
Winguard shots from distance
Antonio Cool then made two
for Killarney, Dave Fanning matched it with a basket for Tralee. Liam Culloty
made two from the free throw line while team-mate Auguste made one to give
Tigers a six point lead once again but not for long as Cool netted a three from
“downtown” with just 30 seconds remaining to thrill the spectators.
Tigers
Wilder Auguste gave his side some space by making two free throws leaving the
score at 39 to 34 in favour of Tigers.
With
only 14.7 seconds Mustang Sally’s Antonio Cool made another brilliant three
much to the crowds delight.
Auguste
was fouled immediately following this and was good for one.
With just three points between the sides now tension was high. It was an
excellent comeback by Mustang Sally’s.
John
Teahan covers back to mark Andrew Fitzgerald
An intentional from James Mooney put St. Paul’s Antonio Cool to the line giving him two free throws and possession with just nine seconds on the clock. Cool made both free throws. Paul’s took possession and the inbound went to Cool who despite being double teamed by Fanning and Auguste attempted a three, which hit the ring but failed to sink as the final buzzer confirmed Abrakababra Tigers as winners of the Premier men’s title in the 37th Blitz.
A
view from the side Coaches Cormac O'Donoghue and David Falvey
Billy
O'Connor receives award from Donal "Duke" for his outstanding
contribution to the Blitz.