NORTH Monastery CBS staved off a second half comeback by Patrician College, Newbridge, to win the Bank of Ireland All Ireland senior Boys A basketball final in front of a 2,000 capacity crowd at the National Arena in Tallaght yesterday.
North Mon's 81-74 victory was in doubt right into the closing minute of a well contested game.
Newbridge's greater rebounding strength helped them take a one point lead inside the final three minutes after the Cork college had led 37-30 at the interval.
In the last two minutes, North Mon regained the lead which they consolidated from the free throw line, as Newbridge ran into foul trouble.
North Mon's Shane McCarthy was the top scorer with 26 points while point guard Mark Kennedy took the MVP award.
Dermot Earley, son of the Kildare football team manager and former Roscommon star, was the fop rebounder and highest scorer for Newbridge on 20 points.
In the Girls B final, St Ailbe's Tipperary avenged their cup defeat of a year ago in beating Mercy Sligo 8-39 with Aileen O'Callaghan the top rebounder and scorer for the winners with 7 points.
In the Girls C final, the efforts of Barbara Trant (17 points) and Michelle Farrelly (13) were decisive in the 52-40 win for St Mary's Naas over Loreto Mullingar.
