DCU MERCY NATIONAL CUP CHAMPIONS 2011

Lindsay Peat and Gavin Doyle, Under 14 boys team, Mercy Basketball Club with The National Cup.

At the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on Sunday afternoon 30th January to a maximum capacity crowd saw 2010 cup holders DCU MERCY retain their National Cup Champion title for the second year.

A spectacular display of women's basketball as DCU MERCY once again took on rivals Team Montonette Glanmire.

From the first minute of the game DCU MERCY showed that they were out to win. Lead by captain and Irish International Lindsay Peat the team put on a wonderful perfomance both offensively and defensively. Suzanne Maguire, the veteran of the team, gave a fantastic display both inside the key and from the three point line.

The game got very intense in the 2nd quarter with DCU MERCY loosing a little bit of mometum and Glanmire went into half time one point ahead. The 3rd quarter, always a crucial quarter in any game was up for grabs. Scrappy offense and strong defense on both sides saw lots of chances at each basket but both teams failed to complete. Two huge three pointers from Shauna O'Connor and Suzanne Maguire kept DCU MERCY in the game. This quarter finished with a level score of 34 points each.

From the opening of the last quarter DCU MERCY showed what they were made off. Strong defensive boards saw them take 90% of the rebounds which they converted the other end. A fabulous display by all the players. The final minutes of the game with both teams in foul trouble, saw a frustrated Glanmire side foul to stop the clock, DCU MERCY proved themselves when they sank all their free throws and the score line kept growing.

As the final buzzer went with huge cheers from their supporters the team charged the floor for a victory dance. Suzanne Maguire scooped the MVP award and Lindsay Peat, Captain held the cup aloft.

DCU MERCY wish to thank all their supporters and friends. They would also like to thank DCU for their support throughout the last few years.

Congratulations to all.

National Cup Semi-Final

Another fantastic game from DCU Mercy who beat Killester 66 - 41 in the National Cup Semi-final in the Neptune Stadium, Cork. Top scorers for DCU Mercy were Lindsay Peat 19, Lisa Palmer 17, Suzanne Maguire 14 and Shauna O'Connor 8 points respectively.

DCU Mercy's defense proved too much for Killester throughout the game. DCU Mercy had a very strong 2nd quarter holding Killester to 2 points. DCU Mercy out rebounded Killester 51 to 28 for the game. In the second half DCU Mercy's offensive improved, when they made the extra pass resulting in 9 different players getting on the scoresheet.

DCU Mercy now qualify to play Team Montonette on Sunday 30th January in the National Basketball Arena in Dublin. Your support for this game is needed.

UL made it back to back wins over DCU Mercy following a 61-57 success in another dramatic encounter between the two sides.

The Limerick side, who exited the National Cup at the hands of DCU earlier in the season, have re-ignited their league title hopes after consecutive wins over fellow title challengers DCU. 
Mercy lead by 10 points midway through the third quarter but UL fought back to trail by just two with Irish international Michelle Fahy on form.


The comeback rejuvenated the UL side but DCU, with Lindsey Peat enjoying one of her best performances of the season, lead 57-56 with less than a minute remaining. However, Natalie Taylor showed her experience by claiming a fantastic three pointer and DCU probably realized it wasn’t going to be their day when Lisa Palmer’s basket popped out. The win was confirmed with the influential Michelle Fahy and Louise Galvin converting free throws.
“It is great to dig out a win in a place like this,” said UL Head Coach James Weldon. “From a confidence point of view, it is a huge win. We are going to have a long month in January after going out in the cup so it was so important we manage to get these types of wins in the league.
“We have to push on from here,” added Weldon. “We were down by 11 in the third quarter but we improved defensively and I thought Michelle (Fahy), Natalie (Taylor) and Rachel (Vanderwal), who was playing her first game this season, was ready for the challenge. Aoife MacDermott had an outstanding third quarter. In fairness to DCU, they were excellent at times and Lindsey Peat caused us a lot of problems.”