Limerick Celtics are the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup champions after a 66-57 win over Liffey Celtics at Neptune Stadium. It is the club’s first ever National Cup title.
Amy Buckley opened the scoring in the game with a little over two minutes gone and it was her Limerick Celtics side who started brightly and duly led 18-8 by the end of the first quarter. Buckley would have 10 points by half-time.
The second quarter belonged to Liffey Celtics, with captain Niamh O’Leary prominent. She racked up 17 points in the opening half, including a late basket just before the buzzer to make it a one point game, as they trailed 26-25.
Gandy Malou of Limerick Celtics in action against Niamh O’Leary of Liffey Celtics
Emily O’Dwyer put Liffey Celtics in front for the first time shortly after the break, 27-26. An Issey Leahy layup from a fast break helped Limerick Celtics go 34-33 ahead with a little over four minutes to go in the third quarter. They pulled away after this, to lead 50-33 by the end of the quarter.
Liffey Celtics reduced the deficit in the fourth, outscoring their opponents 24-16 in the quarter, but it was Limerick Celtics’ day, winning 66-57. The MVP was awarded to co-captain Issey Leahy, who finished up with 16 points on the day. There were also eye-catching performances from Amy Buckley, who was the team’s top scorer on 18, and Limerick Celtics’ other co-captain Lucy Devoy, who had 14. For Liffey Celtics, Niamh O’Leary ended with a 23 point total, while Emily O’Dwyer had 12 and Niamh Fallon scored 6.
Limerick Celtics co-captain Issey Leahy is awarded the MVP, presented by Basketball Ireland president PJ Reidy
“It’s our first National Cup final, so it means a lot. A lot of the girls are underage again next year, so hopefully we’ll go again. The girls put in so much work over the year, between training and matches, they really deserve it.”
“I think the intensity on the girls press was the big difference in the second half. Liffey came out, they’re a hard-hitting team, they rebound well and we had to deal with that in the second half, but we managed to get the win.” – Jordan Hehir, Limerick Celtics head coach
19 March 2022; The Limerick Celtics squad before the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Limerick Celtics players Ali Walsh, left, and Amy Buckley celebrate after their side’s victory in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Limerick Celtics joint-captain Lucy Devoy celebrates with the cup after her side’s victory in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Katie Walsh of Liffey Celtics in action against Ali Walsh of Limerick Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Limerick Celtics coach Jordan Hehir during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Issey Leahy of Limerick Celtics, third from left, celebrates with teammates, from left, Nina Stijacic, Lucy Devoy, Amy Buckley and Ali Walsh after she was named as MVP after their victory in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Basketball Ireland NABC chairman Jason Thornton presents the cup to Limerick Celtic joint-captains Issey Leahy, left, and Lucy Devoy after their side’s victory in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Tara Donnellan of Limerick Celtics, centre, celebrates with teammates after their victory in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Basketball Ireland president PJ Reidy presents the MVP award to Issey Leahy of Limerick Celtics after her side’s victory in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Limerick Celtics players Lucy Devoy, left, and Ali Walsh celebrate after their side’s victory in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; The Limerick Celtics squad celebrate after their victory in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Limerick Celtics joint-captains Issey Leahy, left, and Lucy Devoy celebrate with the cup after their side’s victory in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Liffey Celtics coach Áine O’Connor during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Supporters during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Lucy Devoy of Limerick Celtics in action against Katie Walsh of Liffey Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Lucy Devoy of Limerick Celtics in action against Rachel O’Carroll of Liffey Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Gandy Malou of Limerick Celtics in action against Niamh O’Leary, left, and Rachel O’Carroll of Liffey Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Rachel O’Carroll of Liffey Celtics in action against Lucy Devoy of Limerick Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Limerick Celtics coach Jordan Hehir during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Tania Salvado McCormack of Limerick Celtics in action against Ana Postarnakova of Liffey Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Katie Walsh of Liffey Celtics passes under pressure from Lucy Devoy of Limerick Celtics, left, during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Gandy Malou of Limerick Celtics in action against Liffey Celtics players, from left, Niamh Fallon, Niamh O’Leary and Ana Postarnakova during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Lucy Devoy of Limerick Celtics in action against Niamh Sherlock, left, and Rachel O’Carroll of Liffey Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Emily O’Dwyer of Liffey Celtics is tackled by Amy Buckley of Limerick Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Lucy Devoy of Limerick Celtics in action against Katie Walsh of Liffey Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Gandy Malou of Limerick Celtics in action against Niamh O’Leary of Liffey Celtics, behind, during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Lucy Devoy of Limerick Celtics in action against Katie Walsh of Liffey Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Gandy Malou of Limerick Celtics shoots during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Ali Walsh of Limerick Celtics in action against Emily O’Dwyer of Liffey Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***19 March 2022; Lucy Devoy of Limerick Celtics in action against Katie Walsh of Liffey Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Liffey Celtics and Limerick Celtics at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***
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