Gritty Celtics denied back-to-back National Cup titles by Haiby-inspired Killester
FloMAX Liffey Celtics' Brooke Kane gets ready to shoot during the Domino's Women's Super League National Cup Final at the National Basketball Arena Photo: ©INPHO/Tom Maher
Despite a tenacious fight down the stretch, FloMAX Liffey Celtics were denied a second successive Domino’s Women’s Super League National Cup crown as they lost out to Killester in an enthralling final in the National Basketball Arena on Sunday evening.
In what was a repeat of last season’s decider, albeit with a different outcome, the Dublin side exacted revenge on their Leixlip rivals, as Samantha Haiby drove them to success this time around with a massive 30-point haul.
Michelle Clarke also played a significant role in this victory for the defending Super League champions, as she drained four shots from downtown on her way to a total of 20.
Celtics did have three players in double figures by the close of proceedings, including Sorcha Tiernan, who notched up 23 points, including two huge buckets from beyond the arc in the closing minute of play that brought her side back to within three of their opponents.
But Haiby, who proved ruthless from the free-throw line, converting all, but three of her 19 uncontested shots, ensured victory for Killester in the closing seconds.
The loss of key players like Destinee Bursch, Katie Williamson and Brooke Kane to foul trouble over the closing five minutes, did hamstring Celtics’ bid for a late comeback, but head coach, Hillary Netsiyanwa will be very much encouraged by the grit his Liffey team demonstrated to remain in contention right to the end.
Brooke Kane, Crea Langan, Kate O’Flaherty, Sarah Brady, Aoibhinn Doyle, Katie Williamson, Destinee Bursch, Carley Njonguo, Clara Boyce, Sorcha Tiernan, Erin Boyce, Áine O’Connor.
Top Scorers: Sorcha Tiernan (23), Destinee Bursch (15), Katie Williamson (13).
Amy Elliott, Michelle Clarke, Samantha Haiby, Leilani Turner, Sarah Courtney, Sarah Power, Audrey Roden, Laura McFarland, Ieva Bagdanaviciene, Hannah Thornton, Maeve O Seaghdha.
Top Scorers: Samantha Haiby (30), Michelle Clarke (20), Ieva Bagdanaviciene (8).
