Scairbh
Na
gCaorach
EMYVALE
U13 Boys
Ulster League Basketball
Donagh 16pts Towers 11pts
Donagh hosted Tyrone Towers and two teams from Letterkenny in a 4 way play-off’
to decide who went into the BNI semi finals at boys under 13 level on Sunday morning
in St Macartans College. Donagh had finished 2nd in the league so they hosted the
blitz for the western side of the province, this should have been an advantage and
the coaches were quite confidant of winning through, unfortunately it didn’t quite
work out that way.
A starting five of James McKenna, Johnny Hughes, James Gallagher, Kieran Winsryg and Eric McElmeel were up against a good Dungannon team in their first match. Towers got the first score and Donagh replied through James McKenna with an assist from Eric. From a good pass from Johnny, Eric put Donagh in the lead. Next Ciaran was fouled and went to the free throw line, scoring 1 point. Dungannon were next to the free throw line also scoring one point. Johnny Hughes added the next points after a trademark drive. T. Loughran scored his second basket for Towers to finish the quarter at 7 – 5.
Donagh started the second quarter with Raivadas Lasas, Oisin Campbell, Ben McKenna, Michael O’Brien and Michael McAllister. Michael O’Brien converted a great drive to bring Donagh to 9 – 5. Next Michael was fouled but had no luck at the free throw line. Following some good play from Raivadas, Oisin put Donagh 11 – 5 in front. Donagh finished the quarter with a great drive and score from Michael McAllister to go into the break leading by 8pts.
Donagh started with James Gallagher, James McKenna, Johnny Hughes, Ciaran Winsryg and Eric McElmeel and despite being in control in the first half were unable to build any momentum. M O’Toole, Towers best player, brought the score back to 13 – 8 before James McKenna visited the free throw line, scoring one and followed up his own rebound to score a great basket. This was the only score the home side got in the whole of the second half. Towers replied with another good score to finish the quarter 16 – 9.
Michael O’Brien, Raivadas, Michael McAllister, Ben McKenna and Oisin Campbell started the last quarter for Donagh. This was a very nail biting low scoring period and the boys were very lucky that Towers didn’t take their shooting boots because they had endless chances to pull themselves back into the game. In broken play Donagh visited the free throw line through Michael, with no luck. Towers managed one basket but Donagh held on for a hard fought 16 – 11 victory.
Donagh 39pts Letterkenny Blaze B 3pts
Donagh started with Shane Gilbane, Emmet Campbell, Oisin Murphy, Robbie McAllister and James Gallagher. Robbie opened the scoring with a good lay-up. James followed this with another lay-up score. Donagh were dominating their opponents and Emmet Campbell was next to register from an excellent fast break. Shane was strong under the boards and put Donagh into an 8 – 0 lead. Emmet followed this up with 2 more baskets, one from a rebound and another from a good pass from Robbie. Score was 12-0
Donagh started the second quarter with Raivadas Lasas, Ben McKenna, Michael McAllister Ciaran Winsryg and Eric McElmeel. Ben was excellent under the boards and help continue Donagh’s dominance with another basket followed by a fast break finished by Michael. Blaze B registered their first score from the free throw line but this was followed by a Donagh score from Ciaran. Michael got another basket from a fast break but Blaze B stole the applause with their second score. Ciaran finished the quarter with another basket and Donagh led by 22 – 3
Emmet, Oisin, Michael O’Brien, Raivadas and Robbie continued a strong performance with 2 baskets from Michael and 1 from Emmet. Raivadas went to the free throw line and scored one point. Emmet rounded off the quarter with a great drive and score. Donagh 31 – Blaze 3.
Donagh finished with Robbie, Raivadas, Michael McAllister, Shane and James. Raivadas kicked off the scoring followed by a super 3 pointer by Robbie. Oisin finished a great performance with the final score Donagh 39 – Blaze 3.
Donagh 16pts Blaze A 26pts
This was the crunch match because Towers had beaten Blaze by 4 pts so Donagh would have to win, or loose by less than 6pts if they wanted a semi final place, the lads had recorded a 1 point victory over Letterkenny earlier in the season but they were going to have to be at their best.
Donagh started with Ciaran Winsryg, James Gallagher, Eric McElmeel, James McKenna and Johnny Hughes. Blaze opened the scoring and Johnny replied with a good shot. Blaze’s no.10, Kevin Kealy, rolled off another 2 baskets. Eric went to the free throw line with no success. Johnny had a go with two drives, well defended by Blaze. Donagh 2 – Blaze 6.
Donagh sent in Michael McAllister, Ben McKenna, Oisin Campbell, Michael O’Brien and Raivadas for the second quarter. Michael McAllister got Donagh off to the start we needed with a great shot. Raivadas levelled the score with a great break. Michael O’Brien went to the board a couple of times with no luck. Michael was fouled and scored one free throw to put Donagh into the lead. Blaze replied with a basket and Oisin finished the quarter with a great score with the assist coming from Michael O’Brien. Donagh 9 – Blaze 8.
Donagh started the next quarter with Michael McAllister, Johnny Hughes, Emmet Campbell, Michael O’Brien and Robbie McAllister. Blaze quickly hit back with two baskets. Both sides visited the free throw line but couldn’t get any scores in scrappy play. Blaze eventually got one from the free throw line and then opened up a lead with another basket. Donagh couldn’t buy a score and threw on James McKenna and James Gallagher but Blaze got another score. Robbie got one back for Donagh followed by a free throw from Blaze.
Donagh 11 – Blaze 18.
Donagh started the last quarter knowing this score difference would put them out, so all hinged on Michael O’Brien, Oisin Campbell, Michael McAllister, James McKenna and Ben McKenna. Michael O’Brien won a great rebound and got a vital score. Blaze got a free throw followed by a basket from some poor Donagh passing. Michael McAllister and James had a couple of lay-up chances but it was not our day! Blaze got another free throw to leave the score at Donagh 13 – Blaze 22. Donagh went to a full press and put great pressure on Blaze. Michael got a quick basket followed by a free throw to get it back to 6 points. Blaze got a free throw followed by a good lay-up score. Blaze finished the scoring with a free throw and deservedly won 26 – 16.
Donagh were devastated to realise their season was over having lost one game in three. Enda and Shaun thanked the lads for their great commitment during the season and urged them to be back for next season. The team had made great progress this season and show great promise for the future.
Weekend February 6th
Sunday Feb 6th: Under 13 Boys.
Lisburn 18pts Donagh 44pts
On Sunday the U13 Boys played their last league game against Lisburn. They ran out very convincing winners on a score line of 44-18.
Donagh started very strongly with James McKenna, James Gallagher, Raivadas Lasas, Eric McElmeel and Shane Gilbane on fire and raced into an 11-2 lead.
The second quarter five of Oisin Murphy, Emmett Campbell, Michael and Robbie McAlister and Ben McKenna maintained the momentum and lead at half time 23-6.
Michael O’Brien and Oisin Campbell joined the fray in the third quarter and they piled on the misery for the home side. Several changes were made in what was a very good Donagh performance; James McKenna and Michael McAlister were outstanding. Final Score Donagh 44 – Lisburn 18.
Team and scorers – J. Gallagher 9pts, Robbie 8 pts, J. McKenna 6 pts, Ben 4pts, Raivadas 4pts, Emmett 4pts, O. Murphy 3 pts, M. McAlister 2 pts, M. O’Brien 2 pts, Shane 2 pts, O. Campbell and E. McElmeel.
Donagh now await the knockout stages having finished second in the league.
Weekend January 30th
Under 13 Boys: Donagh 24pts Belfast Star 30pts
I have never seen a quarter of basketball go by without a score but for 4 of the
first 7minutes in this match against Belfast Star there was no score as both teams
took an age to settle down. Belfast Star hadn’t been beaten in their previous 4 matches
but the Donagh five of James McKenna, Eric McElmeel, Johnny Hughes, James Gallagher
and Ciaran Wynsryg could have been 8pts up but for squandered chances. As it was
Star opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a basket but Johnny replied with a
shot, soon after he put Donagh in front scoring a rebound but despite being the better
side in this quarter the score stood at 4pts to 2pts.
Star are the club name for St Malachys boys school and their under 16 boys have
just won the National Schools A Cup, they train everyday and you rarely get the chance
to beat one of their teams. This was a great chance for the Donagh boys of Oisin
Cambell, Michael McAlister, Robbie McAlist er, Ben McKenna and
Michael O Brien to
make their mark, after Ben and Michael McAlister doubled Donaghs score a win looked
possible. After a time out Star came back at Donagh with a free shot and a drive
from their number 4. Oisin made the score 10 to 5 after some neat work under the
hoop. Raivadas Lasas replaced Michael McAlister after he had picked up his 3rd foul
and Star upped the pressure, their number 4 stole the ball and scored 3 baskets.
The home boys panicked and let Star in again before the buzzer to leave the score
at 10pts to 13pts.
Oisin Murphy, Johnny Hughes, James Gallagher, James McKenna and Ciaran Wynsryg
were next on the court but Star picked up a free shot where Donagh missed both. This
quarter proved difficult as the Star players’ numbers 4 and 5 increased their influence
on the game. James Gallagher scored a basket for Donagh but Star ran the score up
to 22pts to 12pts. Different combinations of 
players were used for the home side
and Ciaran did pull a basket back but overall this period was poor. Score was 14pts
to 22pts.
Michael O Brien, Robbie McAlister, Ben McKenna, Eric McElmeel and Oisin Cambell
started
the last quarter but Star scored first. Donagh were awarded an unsportsmanlike
foul after some “argy bargy” and Oisin coolly stuck in the free shots and Johnny
scored from our possession, now there was only 6 in it. Unfortunately they got the
next 2 baskets to leave the difference back at 10pts, Raivadas who had replaced Robbie
scored and there was a glimmer but it was Star that shone and their point guard no.5
scored a beauty. Michael O Brien finished the game with 2 good scores but Donagh
ran out of time, final score was Donagh 24pts Belfast Star 30pts.
There is no doubt this game was there for the taking, and with a bit more savvy around the basket Donagh could have won, certainly loads for the team and coaches to be encouraged by.
Team and Scorers: Johnny Hughes 6pts, Oisin Cambell 4pts, Michael O Brien 4pts, Ben McKenna 2pts, Michael McAlister 2pts, Ciaran Wynsryg 2pts, James Gallagher 2pts, Raivadas Lasas 2pts, James McKenna, Eric McElmeel, Robbie McAlister and Oisin Murphy.