Match Report D3 Tolka Ladies vs Pegasus – Away 12hDecember 2022, Firhouse Community School

Having suffered their first defeat of the season in a very disappointing away game against Templeogue, the D3 ladies went away to face a tough experienced Pegasus team on a cold winter night with snow still on the ground in Firhouse.

Tolka were determined to put the loss behind them and start with strong team defence.  They were also very aware that Pegasus play a packed zone defence and knew they’d have to get out on the fast break and put early points on the board.  

The 1st qtr. progressed as expected, with Tolka playing their man-to-man defence trying to force the passing lanes and Pegasus sitting back in their zone only allowing pressured outside shots and controlling their defensive rebounds. Tolka’s defence resulted in three converted breakaway layups from the forced turnovers. The qtr. and the 1st half finished with Tolka leading 3-12. Three of Tolka’s starters shared the scoring with 4 points each - no.11 Rachael O’Kelly, no.22 Lea Clerkin and no.4 Maedbh Ni Dhalaigh.  Pegasus were restricted to 2 pts from their best player no.16 Catriona White and a single made free throw.  

• End Qtr1: 3-12 Tolka leading

The game continued into the 2nd qtr with Tolka playing their team man-to-man defence, creating forced turnovers and limiting Pegasus to shots under pressure.  Tolka controlled their rebounds and got out on the fast break.  A well-executed end-line play late in the qtr. resulted in a made 20 ft shot by no.4 Maedbha NiDhalaigh. The qtr. and the 1st half finished with Tolka leading 5-26. Tolka, as they have done all season, shared their 2nd qtr.  points across five different players with 4 points each for no.22 Lea Clerkin and no.8 Jessica Maguire.

• End 1st Half: 5-26 Tolka leading

Pegasus started the second half by switching to a 1-3-1 zone defence trying to disrupt Tolka’s passing offence and force some turnovers.  Tolka struggled with their passes against the zoneand turned over the ball regularly with sloppy play. Pegasus, encouraged by their improved defence and poor play by Tolka, started to find their feet on offence behind the scoring of no.16 Catriona White – 4 pts & no.7 Liz Nolan – 6 pts.  Tolka kept the scoreboard ticking over with a number of made outside shots from no.11 Rachael O’Kelly and no.12 Zsara Uzell. The 3rd qtr. finished with Tolka maintaining their lead, 15-35.

• End Qtr3: 15-35 Tolka leading

The 4th followed a similar theme to the 3rd with Pegasus enjoying success at both ends of the floor.  Meanwhile Tolka, aware they had another game in two days, were happy to defend their lead while watching the minutes of players.  Both teams traded baskets with no.11 Rachael O’Kelly and no.12 Zsara Uzellcontinuing to make a number of outside shots against the 1-3-1 zone. The game ended with Tolka’s no.11 Rachael O’Kellyfinishing top scorer with 18 pts, her most all season.  Pegasus’s best player no.16 Catriona White finished with 12 pts.  Although not entirely happy with the 2nd half performance, Tolka put their last disappointing result behind them with a 21 point win away from home and turned their attention to their next game at hometo Maol Og in just two days’ time.

• Final Score: 28-49 Tolka win

Top Scorers:

• Tolka - no.11 Rachael O’Kelly - 18 pts, no.22 Lea Clerkin – 9 pts, no.4 Maedbha NiDhalaigh,  no.12 Zsara Uzell and no.8 Jessica Maguire – 6 pts each.• Pegasus - no.16 Catriona White – 12 pts & no.7 Liz Nolan– 8 pts