Templeogue (35) 67 v Lisburn Star (37) 57

Under 18 Mens

Top scorers
D Kearney 19                P Dick 30
S James   17                 K Cairns 9
S O'Connor 10              B Monaghan 6

Templeogue teamwork beats bright Star

Templeogue got off to the better start with Stephen James going to the board early for a lay-up and Declan Kearney hitting a three.  Lisburn Star responded through captain Paul Dick with a jump shot and Keelin Cairns on the inside.  They began to take control through Dick as he led all scorers with an 11 point tally as Star pushed the lead out to 10.  Kearney responded with another three to beat the buzzer and leave just six between the teams at the end of the first.

In the second quarter Templeogue got to grips with Paul Dick defensively and clawed their way back into the game.  Kearney hit a bucket and James made a steal to go full court for a layup.  Sean O'Connor made a basket and a foul shot to give the Dublin sidfe the lead.  Paul Dick then came alive again to hit four bakets in a row to put Star back up but Cormac Egan made a great lay-up to leave just two points between the sides at half time.

The third quarter continued inthe same vein with both sides trading baskets as the lead changed hands on virtually every play. Paul Dick for Star was proving a handfull as he brought his personal tally to 27 points.  But Templeogue were able to go deeper in their bench as inspirational captain Sean O'Connor got into foul trouble and Ryan Cahill stepped into the action and made a good shot from the baseline.  At the end of the third Lisburn still lead by two, 50 to 48.

The fourth quarter saw a tense finish as Templeogue tied the game on 50 each with a basket from Declan Kearney.  Sean O'Connor came back in for Templeogue and nailed a bucket to give them the lead.  Paul Dick responded with a big three for Lisburn to restore their advantage.  Ryan Cahill made a lay-up for Templeogue to tie things up and Declan Kearney made the play of the game with a drive to the glass to give the Dublin outfit the lead.  Benny Monaghan was found well by Dicks for an easy lay-up for Star but Kearney nailed two foul shots to put four between the teams with a minute to go.  Star tried to respond but a three from Dicks rimmed out and Cormac Egan sealed the game for Templogue making two from four foul shots as the clock ran down.

A thrilling game where the greater teamwork of the Dublin side overcame the individual brillance of Star who were overly dependent on Paul Dicks.