Cobras increased their defensive intensity in the third quarter Cobras and at one stage held 9 point lead on the back of good play from Brady, Neil MacSweeney and Evaldes Sudzius. Torpedos regained the lead in the 4th quarter and held a 2 point advantage with 8 seconds remaining. Following a timeout, Cobras inbounded to Brady at the top the key, who drove right, elevated, and fired an 18 footer that splashed through as the buzzer sounded.

In the overtime the lead changed several times, but with just seconds remaining and Cobras ahead by the minimum, Neil MacSweeney was fouled hard on a drive to the basket. Somehow got his shot to fall and an unsportsmanlike foul was called and MacSweeney made the bonus free throw to seal the win. This capped a good nights work for the Meath side as their ladies team had beaten the same opposition 54-38 earlier.

N. MacSweeney(24), C. Mallen(2), T. Ayres (11), E. Brady (38), E. MacSweeney (3), E. Suvidius (7), S. Smith, D. Smith, A Thompson .

The free scoring Leitrim side had some dominant victories in their first 4 games and they opened the scoring from the tip off, but this would prove to be their only lead of the game. Led by 8 points apiece from Eamonn Brady and Neil MacSweeney, Cobras built an 11 point lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was evenly matched affair however three turnovers in the closing stages allowed Cougars cut the lead to 5 at halftime.

Cobras up the ante in the second half and built up a 15 point lead with the trio of Brady, MacSweeney and Evaldes Sudzius doing the damage on the scoreboard. Cougars had no answer and in the fourth quarter Cobras pulled away on the back of Shane Smiths incisive drives and Alan Thompsons smooth jump shot.

E. MacSweeney, N. MacSweeney(20), S. Smith(9), D. Smith, T. Ayres (10), E. Brady(36), A. Thompson (6), C. Mallen(2), G. Kelly, E. Sudzius (12), W. McDonagh, C. Mooney.

There was nothing between the two sides during the league campaign, they played twice – 1 win each, both teams finished level on points – with Cobras edging the league title on aggregate score. With a trophy already under their belts, Cobras had the confidence but Longford as tournament hosts had the advantage of home court, it was set up to be a cracker and it didn’t disappoint.

A tentative opening quarter saw both sides miss alot of shots before settling, however Cobras found their groove a little earlier and led 16-12 at the end. The second quarter continued in much the same vane, but instead Longford were in the ascendecy the had pulled the scores level by halftime, 23-23.

They say that offense wins games but defense wins championships. Cobras broke the game open in the 3rd quarter on foot of some superb defensive play. Julianne Scanlon was putting on a phenonmenal rebounding display. Bernie McCormack, Jenny Healy and Mary Foley were agressively patrolling the passing lanes, not allowing Longford to settle in their offense and converting turnovers into points on the break. With the score of 43-35 entering the 4th quarter that elusive 1st Top 4 title was looking like becoming a reality.

After 3 1/2 quarters played Longford were in some foul trouble and Cobras were having more joy in the low post as Ciara Kennedy earned and the free throw that put them up 11 with 5 minutes to play. Longford went to a full court press defense and managed to cut the lead to 7. However, Bernie McCormack silenced the home support with a 3 pointer from the left wing to put Cobras back up 10 and finally break the Longford resistance. To ice the victory Mary Foley’s excellent all round performance saw her named as MVP.

Fresh from their league triumph, the ladies had 30+ points to spare over Killenkere to secure a place in their first ever Top Four final.

The ladies final takes place in Longford today (25th April) at 3.30 with the mens final at 5.30.

Any pre match nerves or lingering doubts were quickly dismissed.

Mary Foley and Jenny Healy hit baseline jumpshots, Julianne Scanlon pulled in a rebound and went coast to coast, Bernie Mc pulled the strings at the point. Cavan didn’t register their first score until the 8th minute. At the end of the 1st quarter Cobras led it 20 to 2. Game looked over, everyone knew it, nobody was saying anything though…something about counting chickens.

Not this time.

Cobras pressed home their advantage, there was no let up in intensity as they forced turnover after turnover and converted on the break. Ciara Kennedy, outstanding.

113 seconds to go. Timeout Cobras.

With 60 odd points to spare, there was time to breathe, the message from the bench and sidelines was simple, savour the moment. Good things to those who wait.

Semi Final Fixtures
2:30pm, Torpedo V Lakers (Ladies)
4:00pm, Cobras V Dragons (Men)
5:30pm, Cobras V Killenkere (Ladies)
7:00pm, Cavan V Savi BC (Men)

Finals on Sunday 25th April.

Due to the unpredictable nature of the weather, we are occasionally required to postpone some matches, as it is not possible to play. During this time, players are encouraged to continue with indoor training, or simply take some time to relax, visit http://www.onlinepoker.com/, and rest up before for the rescheduled game. We always aim to reschedule all fixtures as soon as is possible.

We will make provisions to account for bad weather whenever we are able to do so. We also make an effort to inform all those involved as soon as possible in the event of a cancellation. Take a look at the current list of fixtures to see which upcoming games are currently scheduled to take place.

The mens team opened with a comprehensive 63-26 victory at home to new entrant Drogheda Bullets. It was an impressive all round team performance, with Eamonn Bradys defensive presence notable. The mens team have experience to draw on this season as in addition to Brady, Jim and John Ward have transferred from Longford Torpedoes. In fact they signalled their intentions for this season, as they followed up the Drogheda game with a 73-60 win away to last seasons Top 4 champion Dundalk Ravens. Next up? Reigning league champions Cavan United visit the Aura Centre on November 26. Its likely to be standing room only.

Note: the mens and ladies fixtures against Torpedoes originally fixed for October 15th in Trim were postponed until later in the season.

Fixtures

Semi-Final A MEN: DUNDALK RAVENS V MULLINGAR DRAGONS @ 13:30

Semi-Final B MEN: CAVAN UNITED V ATHBOY COBRAS @ 15:00

Semi-Final C LADIES: NAVAN YELLOW FURZE V ATHBOY COBRAS @ 16:30

Semi-Final D LADIES: LONGFORD TORPEDO V CASTLEBLAYNEY LAKERS @ 17:30

However, an improved Killinkere team were intent on spoiling Cobra’s plans and pulled the game closer despite a buzzer 3 pointer made at the end of the first half by Eoin McSweeney.

The 2nd half, which in previous encounters proved to be Cobra’s downfall was a scrappy and physical battle in which Shane Carville scored on drives and made free throws to keep the lead for the Athboy men.

With a slender 5 point lead, the stage was set for Cobras to put the icing on the win and held out with further scores from Cobra’s guards and good inside play from young Cobra Cormac Kelly. Defence to the very last second gave the Athboy men a 10 point win which will carry forward into their semi final meeting with Cavan in April.

Shane Carville (30) Eoin McSweeney (6) Alan Thompson (19) Shane Smyth (7) Cormac Kelly (15) Tony Ayres (4) Joe Davis (2) Ian Ratty, Alan Gunning, Gearoid Kelly.

Coach – Paul Skelton