DONEGAL TOWN BASKETBALL CLUB’S Under-14 girls team won the Division 2 All-Ireland title at the weekend.
It was only the second time that the club has triumphed at national level.
Donegal Town BC coach Kevin Sinclair gives a run-down on the weekend here:
“This was a fantastic achievement for our young girls as they adjusted to the high demands of tournament basketball.
“These young players shocked me with their outstanding commitment over the run up the All-Ireland weekend and again how they managed themselves over the weekend was simple fantastic.
“Everything from diet to hydrating to getting to sleep to concentration was top notch and as a coach you couldn’t have asked for any better on this front. I would like to thank the girls – each and every one of them for their efforts and it was a pleasure to be their coach.
“At times you wonder why bother as a volunteer but a group like this just reminds you and it was certainly worth every minute.
“I like to think that I demand high standards and these girls met those standards easily.
“We had 20 supporters which is a much as we ever had away with the parents getting behind their kids all weekend which was great to see.
“Our four supporters, The two Mias, Aoibhe and Orla where fantastic as they got behind the team all weekend and especially when things got tough it was great to hear the chants around the gym.
“We started fairly nervously on the Saturday and didn’t really find our best form till the Sunday but we had a great first win over Muckno lakers and we fell short by just five points without playing near our best against a nice Tullamore side.
“On Sunday we had a 15 point win over Kiltimagh Giants to set up a final against Crossmolina Tigers where we had a fantastic win by 13 after being close all the way only to pull away in the last to win.
“This was a real pleasure for me to see how our girls dug so deep under intense pressure something that all great teams have to do to get over the line and in the last quarter Orla Carbery (who has been outstanding since joining the club), Lucy Mc Gowan, Captain Amy Lorinyenko, Katie Timoney, Aoife Mackle and the fantastic Sophie Carr certainly did that to get us over the line.
“That’s not to say the rest of the girls didn’t play their part as they certainly did. So well done to the whole panel of 14 girls and not to forget Courtney Harron who couldn’t make it at the weekend but she certainly played her part over the league.
“Our MVP for the weekend had to be Sophie Carr who showed real leadership and maturity when things where tough. She was simply outstanding from start to finish and a pleasure to coach.
“Thanks to all who contributed: to Team Manager Rosemary Carr and her helpers, sponsors The Sand House Hotel, Charael Catering and Coneelly Transport.
“The Abbey Vocational School who gave us the gym when needed in the lead up to the finals and to this wonderful group of players who represented us so well and brought us only our second ever club medals at a National Level.”
Donegal Town BC team: Captain Amy Lorinyenko, Courtey Harron, Kirsty Harron, Katlyn Duffy, Lucy Clinton, Sophia Masiri, Aoife Mackle, Tamara McBrearty, Katie Timoney, Orla McGonagle, Molly Shovlin, Emma O’Sullivan, Lucy Mc Gowan and last not but not least Sophie Carr. Team Manager Rosemary Carr. Coach Kevin Sinclair
