Virginia College land All-Ireland 'A' basketball crown

The Virginia College U16 girls basketball team were the toast of the county last Thursday when they recorded a fantastic win in the All-Ireland U16 'A' league final against Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal from Blarney, Co Cork.

Blarney led 11-1 early on as Irish International, Michelle Ugwah, stamped her authority on the game. However, the Cavan girls were not there to make up the numbers and some sharp shooting from sisters Niamh and Emma Tolan saw Virginia creep back into the game.

A great team effort at the end of the first quarter saw Niamh Tolan winning a decisive defence rebound, a crisp pass to her sister Emma who fed Aisling Doughty and Doughty hit Ciara Brady with an incredible pass, for Brady to sink the basket on the buzzer for a fantastic score and to leave Virginia back in the game with a score of 9-12 in favour of Blarney.

The second quarter was a dogged affair. Virginia got to grips with Blarney’s main scoring threat as Meabh Kelly and Aishling Doughty were like terriers in defence. While Kelly and Doughty didn’t measure up to the 6’1” Ugwah, they certainly didn’t give her an inch on the court. Their significant contribution to the game was highlighted by the fact that Ugwah went scoreless in the second quarter, and only scored three additional points in the rest of the game. Scores were in scarce supply in the second quarter as both teams battled for every possession.

However, the omens were good as Emma Tolan started to follow her sister’s lead and beat two defenders for a sublime reverse layup to leave the Cavan girls firmly in contention, only trailing by 15 to 16 at halftime.

The third quarter started off where the second finished, with Sydney Gregg using her lightning speed to great effect as she beat two defenders on a fast break to finish under the basket with an electric score. Ciara Brady joined in the party with some sharp shooting and kept the scoreboard ticking over. Niamh Tolan, led by example and her intuitive play with her sister Emma was instrumental in Virginia taking charge of the game and sneaking into a well-deserved lead for the first time.

A highlight of the quarter saw Virginia on a fast break, but alas the pass was just too strong for Emma Tolan to control and looked destined to go over the end line, however, Tolan, displaying a never die attitude, leaped in the air to save the ball from going dead, Sydney Gregg retrieved the pass and picked out Aisling Doughty with a laser sharp pass, and Doughty sunk the long range two for an important score. Meabh Kelly continued to work tirelessly in defence and Virginia’s teamwork was starting to pay dividend as they took control of the game and led at the end of the third quarter by 33-30.

As the fourth quarter got underway Virginia were firmly in the driving seat. Niamh Tolan scored two great baskets in succession for a lead of 37-30. Emma Tolan was immense at both ends of the court, with some big scores and some equally important blocks and rebounds. Blarney then showed their class as they hit two big 3 pointers in a row to close the gap back to one point. The two teams traded basket for basket and the Cavan crowd, who outnumbered their Cork counterparts by 10 to 1, cheered their team home as Aisling Doughty scored another crucial score.

As the clock counted down, the game turned on one key moment. With only 17 seconds remaining and Virginia clinging to a one point lead, Blarney’s Michelle Ugwah attempted to sink the killer blow. The athletic 6’1” Ugwah drove at the basket, however a quick reaction saw Virginia’s captain Niamh Tolan get in front of the charging Ugwah and with calm nerves and steely determination she won the ball, securing a vital turnover.

In the dying moments of the game, the crowd were on their feet and in full voice and there was wild scenes of celebration as the final whistle sounded and Virginia College won the Under 16 ‘A’ All Ireland Schools League by 43 points to 42.

The Virginia team collected their well-earned All Ireland medals and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Virginia’s Emma Tolan was selected as the game’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). An MVP award in a national ‘A’ grade final is a fantastic achievement, but considering that Emma at 14 years old, has two more years at this age group, it’s probably not the last we have heard of her. Team Captain Niamh Tolan then stepped forward and raised the Cup to great applause.

See Wednesday's print edition for full coverage.