Omagh ‘Thunder’ to top three finish

OMAGH Thunder men’s first team sealed a top three place in the Basketball Northern Ireland first division standings after beating Queen’s 66-53 in their final home game of the season on Thursday night of last week.

The game started slow for both teams struggling to get shots to fall early on.

At the five-minute mark in the first quarter, Omagh found their touch with Conall McCann setting up Ronan McKenna with a couple of slick passes for easy baskets. Ciaran Weber and Charlie McKinney also converted in the quarter to help Omagh lead 18-10 at the end of the first.

The second half was similar to the first with both teams struggling to get many points on the board with some poor decision making from Omagh resulting in turnovers. Cormac Hurley came into the quarter hot with a quick three-pointer with Joey Hale and Michael Mills also adding to the tally.

Queen’s managed to claw back the deficit to only three points going into the half 29-26 down to Omagh.
In the third Omagh started firing on all cylinders and looking like their usual selves with good ball movement, aggressive defence leading to steals and fast break opportunities.

Ciaran Weber, Charlie McKinney, and Aidan Bradley each converting a three-point shot in the quarter to help re-extend the lead to 54-45 going into the last.

Odhran McDonald got on the scoresheet along with Ronan McKenna in the last and good defence by Omagh held Queen’s to only eight points to seal the win 66-53.

Many thanks to Family Eye Care for sponsoring the game. The Family Eye Care MVP Award for the match was split between Ciaran Weber (20 points) and Charlie McKinney (21 points).

Team roster: Charlie McKinney (21), Ciaran Weber (19), Ronan McKenna (6), Joey Hale (6), Conall McCann (4), Aidan Bradley (3), Cormac Hurley (3), Michael Mills (2), Odhran McDonald (2), Luke McHugh, Ryan McElduff, Bryce Clements.

With one league game left away to Lurgan Lakers, Omagh have sealed third place in the Division 1 BNI league and if other results go their way, second place is possible.

Tonight (Friday), Omagh are away to Cookstown to face BC Wolves Sheds in the BNI Plate Semi-Final.

Omagh have faced this side twice this season with both teams taking a win. Most recently Omagh won 80-76 up in Cookstown so they will be hoping to repeat this and move onto the final and bring home some silverware for the season.