Our u16 girls took the court for the first time this season in their brand new kit sponsored by

KRM Solicitors Kilkenny, against arguably the best team in the country at this age.

Templeogue won the u14 AICCS two years ago at this age group and have

continued to progress since then, so the girls knew they were up for a big challenge. The game was

nip and tuck ALL GAME with both teams never taking more than a five point lead throughout.

Templeogue beat our girls pretty handily a couple years ago at this age and it was because of the

rebounding disparity, but the additions of Aimee O’Reilly and Niamh Mulhall to our squad have cut

that disparity remarkably, on top of our guards really sticking their noses in and helping with the

rebounding battle. Our girls’ pressure defense affected the Templeogue attack, but they

methodically kept the pressure on Stars with an array of three point shots. Kaitlyn Summers and

Caoimhe Timmons led the way scoring wise for Stars, but Lucy Coomey and Emily Lauhoff also

chipped in with some huge baskets. Down by 1 point with 13 seconds left, Kaitlyn was fouled and

went to the line and made both free throws to put us up by 1, and then Templeogue was fouled on

the other end and also made their two free throws! Stars then had the ball with four seconds left,

and after a beautifully executed play, Kaitlyn just barely missed out on a corner jumpshot, giving

Templeogue the win by one point. The girls were visibly upset, but Puff quickly let them know that if

Templeogue were the bar of excellence for this age group that we definitely had an opportunity to

meet that bar this season and that a performance like that against one of the best teams in the

country definitely lifted the expectations as to how good this team can be this year! Exciting times

for both of our teams this weekend!