Morrison on fire to shoot down Saints

Templeogue College 72

St Paul's College 51

Flood has been in inspiring form for Philip Rigney's team in their cup campaign and undoubtedly the noted singer will be hoping to have his star player ready for the school's big showdown at the Oblate with Pres Bray next month.

Yesterday's margin nonetheless showed that Templeogue had plenty of quality in reserve.

Indeed, within moments of captain Anton McDonnell being benched as Rigney sought to give his less prominent panelists some valuable game time, Eoin Walsh struck for a terrific basket for the home side. It was one of those days when everything went right for the visitors.

Paul's for their part under-performed, particularly in the rebounding stakes, and undoubtedly coach Conor Gordon will be hoping his team up their game when they take on Northside rivals, St Fintan's High School in the third/fourth place play-off in December. The Killester club man did concede that Templeogue were deserving of the victory on the day.

Paul's to be fair had begun well with Alex Talpau having recently been called up to the Irish Under 17 squad swivelling under the Templeogue basket in what was the standout score of the first quarter.

At that stage, Paul's had exerted considerable pressure, with Super League player Paddy Sullivan linking up well with his colleagues from the base of the court.

Still, Templeogue held a 17-14 lead entering the second period and two early baskets from Aiden Rooney put further distance between the sides.

And with Brian Thiessan picking off Paul's with a terrific three-pointer from the edge of the key, Templeogue had opened up an impressive 38-23 margin at the break.

Templeogue continued to pile on the pressure early in the third with the quick-footed Morrison pinning Paul's back as Templeogue moved their lead out to 20 points.

Paul's were given hope when Sullivan landed two outside baskets and an additional lay up.

Nonetheless, a Morrison three-pointer at the end of the third saw Templeogue finish that quarter ahead by 56-35 and he was in unstoppable form in the final period as he shot ten points to see his team comfortably home by a 19-point margin.

Top scorers -- Templeogue College: Baoloch Morrison 27 points, Anton McDonnell 17 pts, Aiden Rooney 16 pts. St Paul's College: Alex Talpau 15 pts, Paddy Sullivan 13 pts, Alex 15 pts.

Templeogue College: Eric Stenberg, David Nolan, Jake Rogers, Mark Redmond, Baolach Morrison, Aidan Rooney, Cian McKeon, Brian Thiessan, Chris Bass, Eoin Walsh, Anton McDonnell, Chris Straessle.

St Paul's College: Greg Campion, Paddy Sullivan, Cian Lynch, Luke Givens, Alex Talpau, Brian Dunlea, George Adebusi, Tom Molloy Robert O' Meara.