Super hoops from Scoil Chaitriona

SCOIL Chaitriona in Glasnevin is celebrating after completing a unique basketball double and showing that a well organised small school can compete and beat the best.

The school has only just over 400 students but they still managed to win two All Ireland Basketball Leagues in a row.

Last month Scoil Chaitriona captured the All Ireland B League in Boys’ Under 19 which followed on from their victory in the 2013 C All Ireland League.

They battled their way to the final of this year’s competition, defeating Carrickmacross with a last second three pointer in the quarter final and surviving a spirited comeback from Rochestown in Cork to win by a single point.

The team eventually defeated Rockwell College, Tipperary, in the final at the National Basketball Arena last month in what was a close, hard-fought game.

The hero on the day for Scoil Chaitriona was Liam Mac Maoláin who scored six three-pointers to give his team the edge. Adam Mac Aogháin held his nerve to score two free throws in the last minute and sealed the victory with a score of 43-40.

Captain Cathal Barúin raised the cup for the over 250 supporters who had travelled from Glasnevin to cheer on the team in raucous fashion.

The team was duly rewarded for great commitment shown all year. They started preparing for their title bid last September training at seven in the morning in DCU at times and also during the Christmas holidays under the great leadership of hard-working coaches Tanya Ní hUiginn and Daithí MacGabhann.

Scoil Chaitriona is an all Irish school and draws students from Glasnevin, Ballymun, Finglas, Whitehall, Swords, Blanchardstown and Clontarf.