Tough assignment awaits defending champions FloMAX Liffey Celtics in Domino's WSL National Cup

FloMAX Liffey Celtics head coach Hillary Netsiyanwa is expecting a difficult afternoon as they open the defence of the Domino’s WSL National Cup on the road in Cork on Sunday afternoon.

It’s been a tumultuous start to the season for the first year FloMAX Liffey Celtics head coach, with just two wins in the league to date. However, their first victory did come against this weekend’s opponents Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell, a one-point success at the start of November.

“We are really looking forward to a tough game to start the cup competition,” said Netsiyanwa. Brunell away are always a tough opponent and have had a good start to the season.”

The memories of lifting the Paudie O’Connor Cup at centre court of the National Basketball Arena will still be fresh in the memory of veteran Liffey Celtics players Áine O’Connor and Sorcha Tiernan. Whether the group can elevate their game to stop a potent Brunell offensive unit is a big question hanging over the group this weekend.

2024 champions Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell have had a successful start to the season, with six wins in eight games in all competitions. Maddie Cluse sits in the top ten in scoring and rebounding in the Domino’s Women’s Super League and their ability to attack the lane through, Cluse, Edel Thornton and Joseph before kicking it to their outside shooters is likely to cause Celtics huge problems defensively, as they manage the inside spacing while not giving up clean outside looks.

Four time champions Killester will make the journey to Waterford to face SETU Waterford Wildcats. Wildcats have not lifted the Paudie O’Connor trophy in 25 years and having missed out at the semi-final stage in two of the last three seasons, they’ll be keen to at least go one step better this time out. Killester’s only loss of the season has come when they were out-rebounded and out shot from beyond the arc by Trinity Meteors. Is that the path to success for Wildcats head coach Jillian Hayes? Hayes is likely to be without Irish international Sarah Hickey, who picked up an injury in their most recent game.

Last year’s Women’s Division One National Cup champions McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles open up their top tier cup journey away to Trinity Meteors on Saturday afternoon. Trinity are coming off only their second defeat of the season against UCC Glanmire in the league last week. Trinity head coach Seamas Donnelly is wary of the newly-promoted opposition.

“Cavan Eagles have shown they very much belong in the Super League,” said Donnelly. We played them in the season opener in a highly competitive, close game and we expect a similar challenge at the weekend.”

UCC Glanmire have held the Paudie O’Connor cup on eight separate occasions, most recently back in 2022. They managed to overcome Catalyst Fr. Mathews in the opening round and will now play host to Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers on Sunday afternoon. Portlaoise have lost six consecutive games after winning their opening game of the season, in stark contest to UCC Glanmire, who are the form pick to advance having won four of their last five.

All four quarter-finals in the Domino’s WSL National Cup will be shown live on BITV.