Net gains as College girls see off Ballyclare High to lift title

ST MACNISSI'S College Garron Tower have captured the North Eastern Area Senior Netball title for the 18th time in the past 21 seasons.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Feb 2010, 14:47 BST
Updated 15th Feb 2010, 16:01 BST

The local school defeated Ballyclare High School 29-18 in the recent entertaining final staged at Antrim Forum.

Forced to start without the injured Tessa McDonnell, there were debuts for Michelle McKeever and Maeve Keenan and both played well in a nervous first quarter for the Tower after which Ballyclare held a 6-5 advantage.

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Things swung Tower’s way during the second quarter with some superb interceptions from Maeve Connolly and dogged and intelligent defence from Bronagh Heggarty helping to contain Brook Cully. By half-time St MacNissi’s were 14-10 in front.

More of the same followed during the third quarter and the turn-over saw the Tower enjoy a 7 points advantage 21-14.

Ballyclare rallied during the final quarter and reduced the deficit back to a four-goal margin. But some outstanding long-range shots by Alex McLaughlin served to bring the game back under control for the girls in purple and they held out to win 29-18.

St. MacNissi’s : Maeve Keenan, Maeve Connolly, Tessa McDonnell, Catriona McKay, Alex McLaughlin, Katherine McGoran, Mairi Mulvenna (Capt), Emma McCambridge, Therese McCollam, Orlagh McLaughlin, Ciara Campbell, Eimear McAleenan, Michelle McKeever, Noeleen Cosgrove, Bronagh Heggarty, Catherine McLaughlin.