Cunningham stars as Bish boys secure place in semis
St. Joseph’s College 84
St. Eunan’s College 79
THE Bish defeated St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny last Saturday evening in Sutton to proceed to the All-Ireland semi-final stage of the U19 A Schools Basketball League. It was a most dramatic overtime ending.
The city boys settled well and played with purpose, flair and scored heavily from both inside and outside. The Bish height advantage on the post was a significant factor in the game with 6’7 “ Joe Tummon and 6’ 6” Jonatanas Pesaitis making space for their sharp shooters to get their shots off.
Kyle Cunningham and Irish U16 International star Connor Curran put up over 50 points between them from both outside and inside. However, Letterkenny – whose players were returning to court after an U18 All Ireland Club loss the previous Saturday to Templeogue – were in no mood to give up their title aspirations.
Their two Irish U18 Internationals Cian and Tadgh Hickey were outstanding along with excellent shooting from Andrew McGeever. The Bish had been crowned West Regional senior champions for the third year in a row in a tight game against St. Mary’s College in Westside Community Centre in late December.
They travelled to Dublin with no intention of allowing St. Eunan’s to stand in their way of returning to the National Basketball Arena for the national finals.
In the end, the defensive and offensive rebounding of Joe Tummon and Jonatanas Pesaitis and the 34 point tally of MVP Kyle Cunningham ensured that the Bish proceed towards their goal of winning another All-Ireland title.
The Bish now face Belvedere College, Dublin in early March while the Bish U16’s take on Calasanctius College Oranmore in a league semi-final rematch of their recent All Ireland Schools Cup final in Tallaght.