Liffey Celtics storm into Paudie O’Connor National Cup Final
Liffey Celtics’ Kelly Bracken, Alexandra Navarete and Katie O’Sullivan celebrate after winning the Paudie O'Connor Cup semi-final Photo: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
FloMAX LIFFEY CELTICS 78 SETU WATERFORD WILDCATS 53
FloMAX Liffey Celtics booked their place in the 2024/25 Paudie O’Connor National Cup Final following a hugely-impressive 25-point victory over SETU Waterford Wildcats in Neptune Stadium on Saturday.
In what was a clash of the top two teams in this season’s Women’s Super League, it was the Leixlip side who prevailed, with no less than five of their players finishing in double figures, including captain, Áine O’Connor on a game-high 20 points, with Sorcha Tiernan and Allie Navarette each putting up 14.
With 13 rebounds, Eboni Williams starred in an excellent defensive display by Karl Kilbride’s side that saw them confine Waterford’s big hitters, Sarah and Kate Hickey, Chelsea Cain and Ashia McCalla to a combined 49 on the day.
It was a hugely encouraging performance for this Celtics team who were also without the services of Ciara Bracken and Clara Boyce for this outing, but proved that they have the necessary depth in the squad to make it a successful season.
Hazel Finn also made her presence felt for the Kildare side with 12 points, eight of which came in the opening half as Celtics established a 44-30 cushion by the break and continued to only build on that throughout the second half.
Kelly Bracken, Kate O’Flaherty, Eboni Williams, Rachel Huijsdens, Katie O’Sullivan, Sorcha Tiernan, Hazel Finn, Allie Navarette, Áine O’Connor.
Top Scorers: Áine O’Connor (20), Sorcha Tiernan (14), Allie Navarette (14), Hazel Finn (12), Eboni Williams (11).
Isabelle Daniels, Kate Hickey, Orla Dullaghan, Helena Rohan, Sarah Hickey, Aoife Brett, Ashia McCalla, Ardiana Shallci, Miriam Rasenberger, Sinead Deegan, Chelsea Cain.
Top Scorers: Sarah Hickey (16), Chelsea Cain (14), Kate Hickey (13), Ashia McCalla (6).
