Portlaoise Panthers continue to struggle in Women's Super League
They've only won one game from nine so far this campaign
It was a long night for Portlaoise Panthers on Saturday, who suffered a heavy defeat in St Mary's Hall at the hands of Cork side, UCC Glanmire. Since winning promotion to the Women's Super League, Portlaoise have had a tough time of it to say the least.
They had won just one match of their first eight before Saturday, and the search for a second victory continues. Conversely, the win moves UCC onto a 50/50 record for the season with five wins from ten, highlighting the strength of the Women's Super League.
UCC Glanmire 97
Portlaoise Panthers 44
The scores came much easier for UCC early on, with the Panthers having to work hard for everything they got. Amaya West and Amy Dooley were the stars of the opening period, with Mia Furlong landing two huge three-pointers to put UCC on the front foot. Brahe Ashton has been one of the top performers this season for Portlaoise, and she started well here yet again. But the visitors dominated the opening period and led by ten points, 28-18.
It was more of the same early in the second period, with Portlaoise struggling to put points on the board. Instead, the visitors stretched their lead, with Chelsey Shumpert beginning to shine, sinking almost every shot she took before the interval. Portlaoise never got a foothold in the game and trailed at half time by 51-26.
They only managed eight points in the second quarter - four each from Jessica Fressle and Alyssa Marie Velles. The talismanic duo were well martialled, to say the least, by a hugely impressive UCC side.
The 25-point gap seemed insurmountable and would have required a titanic effort from the Panthers in the second half. But the three-pointers continued to rain down from UCC, with Mia Furlong seemingly infallible from long range.
Nothing worked for Portlaoise, with the usually reliable Shauna Dooley, Megan Dunne and Jasmine Burke unable to have much impact on proceedings. UCC led 67-32 heading into the final quarter.
They were relentless in the final ten minutes as they ran out comfortable winners. Simone O'Shea was on fire, leading the score charts with 12 points as the visitors notched up a mighty 30 points in the period.
UCC finished 33 points better off, and unfortunately for the Panthers, it was a fair reflection on the game. Portlaoise will close out 2023 with a trip to Leixlip on December 30, when they face title contenders, Flomax Liffey Celtics.