ALL-IRELAND SCHOOLS PLATE BASKETBALL FINAL
Aquinas U19s lost out in the final of the U19A plate final to 57-50 Colaiste Eanna in Dublin on Thursday. The host school had come out of their pool with wins over St Brendans Killarney and St Conleths, Kildare.
Aquinas reached the final with victories over St Michael’s Listowel (58-21) and Our Lady’s Castleblayney (64-30) with a great all-round team performance but the last game against the host school at 6pm proved one game too many.
A poor first quarter saw Aquinas trail 14-2 but fought back to trail 26-18 at half time. Despite the loss of Jack McConaghy through injury, Aquinas continued to claw their way back into the game with Ciaran Ashe, Ryan Magee, Ronan McGarry and Ben Horner combining well on the offensive and defensive end.
With a minute to go on the clock Aquinas cut the lead to 3 points but a turnover and a score from Colaiste Eanna left the game just out of reach.
The team can take great heart from their performance and also point to the fact that every member of the squad will be available next year there are high hopes that Aquinas can reach their first All-Ireland final since 2003.
RESULTS & SCORERS
• Aquinas 58 St Michaels Listowel 21
Ben Horner (24); Jack McConaghy (16)
• Aquinas 64 Our Ladys Castleblayney 30
Jack McConaghy (20); Ben Horner (13)
FINAL
• Aquinas 50 Colaiste Eanna 57
Ciaran Ashe (16); Ben Horner (16); Ryan Magee (10)
Team: Ben Horner; Ciaran Ashe; Jack McConaghy; Ronan McGarry; Ryan Magee; Niall Dillon; Charlie McGrath; Ryan McCormick Michael McGarry; Shane Flaherty;