Gems produce barnstorming final quarter to claim third place in the Celtic Cup
Zimbabwe have defeated Northern Ireland 55-49 in the third-place match at the inaugural Celtic Cup in Glasgow.
Northern Ireland started the better of the two teams with Emma Magee shooting confidently from long distance over the imposing defence of Zimbabwean Captain Elizabeth Mushore. An early 8-3 lead for the Warriors was reduced with three straight for the Gems as both teams began to find a rhythm and exchange goals. With Warriors GK Lauren Walshe working overtime against the imposing Ndlovu, the Warriors extended their early advantage to 12-7. The Gems, as has been their modus operandi, remained resilient and reduced the margin to three at the break, trailing the Warriors 14-17.
Ursula Ndlovu entered at GA for the Gems to begin the second quarter and the teams traded goals through the early going until Zimbabwe began to gain the upper hand with three straight to bring the margin back to a single goal. Inspired work by mid court pairing Niamh Cooper and Frances Keenan saw the Warriors regain their buffer at the midway point of the second and lead by as much as five. The pace of play in the match was ferocious and was tracking to be the highest scoring game of the tournament. The Gems increased the defensive pressure in the goal third and chipped away at the deficit, taking the quarter 16-14. At the long break it was anyone’s match with the Warriors holding the slenderest of leads 31-30.
Changes to begin the second half for the Warriors with Evelyn McCagherty joining at C and Rosa McCloskey at GS. Zimbabwe enjoyed a fast start and went a goal in front before Northern Ireland found an extra gear and ripped off six straight goals to regain the ascendency 38-33. The Gems found the response though with the Ndlovu shooting combination pulling their team back level at 39. In a quarter of ebbs and flows the status quo remained as the game headed to the final quarter with the Warriors up 43-42.
The early moments of the fourth quarter saw neither team break stride, goal for goal through the first five minutes. The moment called for inspiration and to no surprise it was Gems Captain Elizabeth Mushore who created additional opportunities for her team, winning ball repeatedly. The match turned in a five minute period with the Gems going seven goals ahead with seven minutes to play. Another twist was to play out though, with Mushore out of play for two minutes for dangerous play. The Gems handled the time with six players perfectly, playing keepings off for the duration and the margin for the Warriors was too much to reduce in the waning moments. A 13-6 closing quarter, 100% shooting for the match and a third place finish for the Gems.
Mushore picked up her second player of the match for the tournament with an inspired performance at GK for the Gems.
Zimbabwe: Thandazile Ndlovu (GS), Chipo Shoko (GA), Nicole Muzanenamo (WA), Nobukhosi Ndlovu (C), Zimusi Takadanaighe (WD), Upenyu Myambo (GD), Elizabeth Mushore (GK), Sharon Bwanali, Tafadzwa Mawango, Ursula Ndlovu, Anifa Luya, Felistus Kwangwa.
Northern Ireland: Rosa McCloskey (GS), Emma Magee (GA), Frances Keenan (WA), Niamh Cooper (C), Orla McGeough (WD), Michelle Magee (GD), Lauren Walshe (GK). Ciara Crosbie, Maria McCann, Georgie McGrath, Orlaith Rogers, Evelyn McCagherty.
Shooting statistics:
Northern Ireland
Emma Magee 16/18
Rosa McCloskey 32/39
Georgie McGrath 1/2
Zimbabwe
Thandazile Ndlovu 45/45
Ursula Ndlovu 8/8
Chipo Shoko 2/2
