Wow, what a performance today!  Both the first and second year boys teams beat Marian College at home in the South Dublin Basketball Semi-finals to advance to next week's Championship Games.

Both teams' successes were due to active defences and timely performances from a number of heroes.  They deserve a big pat on the back.  Slowly, we're becoming a team.

The first year boys had a see-saw contest where leads changed hands several times over the course of the game.  Mid-way through the fourth quarter we wrestled free and took the the lead and motored to a 21-14 victory.

The second year boys game was a different affair.  We were behind the whole game, sometimes being down by as many as eight points.  Late in the fourth quarter they charged ahead and scored two quick baskets to go up by 6 with under two minutes to play.  We put on a full-court press, forced two quick turnovers and were down by two.  Another basket evened it at 18.  One of our player's got fouled with less than ten seconds to play and calmly sunk both free throws to go up by two, 20-18.  With five seconds left and taking the ball out of bounds Marian ran a high screen to pass it to a streaking player who made the contested lay-up with time expiring.  Overtime.  In the next three minutes we played very aggressive defence and kept them from scoring as we scored once giving us a 22-20 victory.

I really want to extend a big warm thank you to all of you who came out to support the two teams.  The atmosphere you created helped propel us to victory.

I don't know when or where next week's finals are going to be, but will keep you in the loop as information is received.

Talk soon,

Conan Doyle

22 March 2017