Basketball: Mullingar Community College claim U19 Mid-Leinster title

Mullingar Community College have progressed to the semi-finals of the boys’ post-primary schools U19 Leinster Basketball Championship after a closely fought win against local rivals St Finian’s College last Friday.

It was always going to be a closely-contested final. The teams had met at an earlier stage of the competition, and on that occasion St Finian’s claimed victory by a single point.

St Finian’s started off as the stronger of the two teams and took an early lead. Inspired by an impressive performance from team captain Robin Habimana, the boys from Mullingar Community College battled back and the quarter finished with Mullingar Community College ahead by three.

In the second quarter Mullingar Community College further extended their lead thanks to some outstanding defensive play from Aaron Russell and Riccardo Colella. However, St Finian’s weren’t about to give up and returned to the court in the third quarter with a renewed sense of purpose.

They battled back with some impressive play, reducing MCC’s lead to just five points at the end of the third quarter. And as if game wasn’t tight enough, Mullingar Community College had to finish the game without one of their key defensive players after Eugenio Colella was fouled out.

In the final quarter, both teams exchanged baskets, but it was the Community College’s captain, Robin Habimana, who excelled yet again. The fifth-year student was undoubtedly the man of the match, finishing the game with 29 points to his name.

The final score in Portlaoise was 38-33 in favour of Mullingar Community College, who now progress to the Leinster semi-final against Bremore ETSS, Balbriggan this week.