Knockbeg went into this Midlands League B Final as underdogs having lost out earlier on in their campaign to an impressive Presentation College Carlow team by 6 points.
Knockbeg raced off to a good start when captain Conall Bergin put the 5 to the good within the first 2 minutes. Throughout the first and second quarter the teams went toe to toe , with Jack Byrne registering his first two baskets and Fionn Anthony adding one.
In the 3rd quarter Pres Carlow outscored Knockbeg by 5 points , the highlight of the game came in the 3rd when Conall Bergin went behind the back and scored an excellent layup under severe pressure from the opposition defenders.
Going into the 4th and Pres lead by 32-27 and looked to be in control. Knockbeg dug deep and found it within themselves to get back into the game. With 4 minutes 32 seconds to go Knockbeg trailed by 7 points their largest margin of the game. They began to draw Pres back in with some excellent play on the offensive and defensive ends. Bergin slotted 2 free throws to leave 4 in it and then Jack Byrne scored another basket to leave 2 in it. Lewis Gannon scored an excellent layup off an organised full court press from the whole team , the game now tied at 36-36.
Pres Carlow had two key players for them fouled out late on in the 4th and Knockbeg were given the opportunity to go and make free throws. After missing 2 from the line Jack Byrne bounced back to make 4 in a row and give Knockbeg a 40–36 lead. Pres replied with there own set of free throws but Knockbeg held on to run out deserved winners on a scoreline of 40-38. What makes the win even more impressive is that none of the starting team play with basketball clubs.
Panel: Jamie Conway, , Pablo Byrne, Jack Doyle, Aodhan Lowry, Fionn Anthony, Conor Bowe, Lewis Gannon, Brian Cox, Luke Bramley, Jack Byrne, Conall Bergin(captain) Matthew Farrell, Gavin Dowling.
by Oisin Nolan TY
