Write a commentNewry's winning season continues
Last Saturday Newry's U14 team travelled to Monaghan to take on Blackwater Stealers.
Newry started and finished strongly but Blackwater gave Newry a fright in the second half.
From the tip Newry took control and Shane Morgan opened the scoring for Newry and lead the team's scoring for the game with 16 points.
It was a high scoring game for both teams with plenty of attacking play for both sides. Newry's Owen Saunders and Eoin Byrne both also featured high on the sheet with 12 and 8 points respectively. Cillian McArdle also got on the score sheet for the first time this season. Newry's strong scoring meant they went into the half with a strong lead, 11-23. Matthew Munrow had an excellent game assisting on around half of Newry's scores, showing awareness beyond his years from the point position.
In the third quarter Newry struggled and there were gaps which Blackwater found and utilised to cut into Newry's lead. At one point they drew the score to within 3 points. Newry still had an answer for them in the form of Shane Morgan who closed the game with very strong play inside the paint, for which Stealers had no answer. Newry pulled away again to finish the game convincingly 39 to 27
Players and Scorers
Shane Morgan 16
Owen Saunders 12
Eoghan Byrne 8
Adam Hanna 2
Cillian McArdle 2
Manual De Linase
Matthew Munroe
James Smyth
Cole McMahon
Eoin Sands
Adam McParland
Thomas Maginn
Fliers Fail to Soar in Ballymena
Ballymena BC 56 Newry Fliers 16
Newry Fliers U16 boys travelled to Ballymena on Saturday where they faced tough competition. Knowing that Ballymena's U16 were an older and more experienced squad, the Fliers went in to the game hoping to hold their own. From the off, Ballymena were tough to control. The extra year of experience that the boys had was evident as they outplayed the visiting side, scoring 3 baskets in quick succession. It was up to Fliers' captain Conor Mathers to settle his squad, making the first two points for Newry, followed up quickly by leading scorer Niall Traynor. This settled the rest of the squad and they began to find their stride. However, 4 minutes into the game double tragedy struck the Fliers, as both Mathers and Traynor had to be substituted off due to injury. This unsettled the Fliers and once again the boys looked nervous, knowing they would have to up their game.
Going into the second quarter with new players the Fliers found a fresh lease of energy and determination in the form of vice-captain Kaylem McShane. McShane's enthusiasm and fight rubbed off on his team mates and they settled into the game, working as one and displaying a tough defensive zone. This took Ballymena by surprise and they struggled to get a shot up for the first few minutes of the quarter. At the other end of the court the Fliers took advantage with McShane opening scoring, followed up with a three-pointer from Sé O'Grady. Once Ballymena recovered their scoring continued, leading 30-9 at half time.
Going into the second half, the Fliers knew they would need something miraculous to happen to take a win, given that they lost players so early on. The players knew that their focus was now damage control and working to ensure that they made it as difficult as possible for Ballymena to score. Both Conor Brolly and Farron O'Hare shone in the second half for the Fliers as they gave the game their everything. The shooting guards paired up well on defence with both clearing up on rebounds. Gaining this advantage the duo paired up equally as well on offence, with the help of point guard Euan McKeown. The energy and attack increased three-fold for the Fliers but unfortunately this was not enough against this tough Ballymena side as they took an easy win in the BNI League. The Fliers now look to shake off this game, put it down to experience and regroup before they face their old club rivals Omagh Thunder next week.
Fliers Blitz a Success
It was a long time coming but after too long Newry Fliers female squad has been resurrected, thanks to the determination of some of the senior club members and the youth and enthusiasm of a new generation of Flier.
Proud to show off their grand new venue the Fliers hosted its first ever all girl blitz on Sunday 22nd Nov with great success in the Abbey Grammar school.
Teams travelled from Belfast, Monaghan, Dungannon and Andersonstown to compete on the fresh boards of the Fliers new home court and the teams delivered just what was asked of them.
While games started quietly it didn’t take long for the competition and desire to win to take over and soon spectators watched as these young women from across the country fought hard, played fair and tasted defeat and victory all in one afternoon.
In a round robin blitz that posted all levels of talent and ability against each other the teams battled to take the win. But it was the Andersonstown Tigers who were ultimately glorious on the day winning all four of their games.
The Fliers however showed boundless potential for the games and seasons to come and while this season is an entry into a new sport for most of the team if these girls can stick together I think Newry’s Womens Basketball might have some silverware in its future sights.
