After a long two days of travelling and training the Irish Under 18's Men's squad got off to a strong start in their first two games at St. Joseph's College tonight.
The team split into two for two back to back games against CC Hoops AAU and CT Premier AAU respectively. The first team played a very athletic and competitive CC Hoops team that piled on the pressure early with strong outside shooting and full-court pressure defense. The American team ended up taking a 12 point lead mid way through the first half. Once the Irish lads began to get their feet they began to work well together and look like a great team. Some good shooting from Neil Lynch and tough defensive help and transition offence from Colm O'Hagan kept the team close in the first half before they began fighting back in the second half.
Despite some queasy stomachs in the first half both Adrian O'Sullivan and Ben Horner came alive with around 8 minutes to go and led a 10 point comeback. With just under 3 minutes to go the squad managed to take the lead. In the end CC Hoops poor free-throw shooting cost them as the Irish squad showed great composure to close out the game and win the game 64-60.
Unfortunately the combination of jet-lag and a late start to the second game seemed to contribute to a less successful performance by the second squad who faced a well-organised and talented CT Premier team. At the half the American team had managed to build 17 point lead against the lads who struggled offensively despite only giving up 29 points.
As with the first game the lads played much better as a group in the second half with an offensive run in the first 5 minutes which managed to outscore their entire first half. Some solid play from Ciaran Roe and Peter Herron began to edge the team back to just 9 points with just a few minutes to go. The Premier then managed to start knocking down some big outside shots stretching the Irish squad and re-opening another big lead which they held until the end. The Irish team continued to work hard until the very end despite apparently running on empty in a game that was being played at around 3am Irish time. The game ended with a 57-38 scoreline which showed reflected a strong defensive performance for the Irish team that is still getting into it's rhythm.
All in all this was a very productive beginning to what promises to be a great experience for the players. Possibly most impressive today was the declaration of intent by Corkonian Ronan O'Sullivan who is intent on making the most of the opportunity that this trip is giving him and his team-mates. If the team continues the in manner which they have began this will be a great trip for Irish Basketball's future.
Coach Francis O Sullivan said "I was very pleased with the enthusiastic attitude of the players and the commitment they have shown to improving their basketball skill level and also their work rate during the games since they arrived in the US."
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