University of Galway Mystics outlast Waterford Wildcats to reach InsureMyHouse.ie U20 Women’s National Cup final

A 22-point performance by Kara McClean powered University of Galway Mystics into the InsureMyHouse.ie U20 Women’s National Cup final at the expense of a dogged Waterford Wildcats team, 77-62 the final score in Upper Glanmire.

Both teams boasted a number of Irish internationals in their ranks, resulting in a game of immense quality on both ends of the floor. The outcome remained in the melting pot for long stretches, as the lead changed 11 times, but a sustained period of pressure from University of Galway Mystics midway through the third quarter ultimately proved the difference, as Waterford couldn’t find enough scoring outside of the excellent Sarah Hickey and Caitlyn Gloeckner to keep pace.

Mystics early energy propelled them into a 12-7 lead at the halfway point of the opening quarter, Hazel Finn, who’d finish with 15-points, and Kara McCleane attacking the paint to cancel out an Illana Fitzgerald three for Waterford straight from the tip. They were level once more, 13-13 with two minutes to play before a 7-0 run saw Paul O’Brien’s team end the period with a 20-13 advantage.

Wildcats continued their habit of starting quarters strongly. This time it was the Batman and Robin duo of Hickey and Gloeckner who combined for 11-points to bring the teams even once more with 3-minutes and 24- seconds to play in the half. They weren’t done there. Both would subsequently get to the line with unerring accuracy, propelling Waterford into a 32-29 advantage at the break.

That advantage grew as the third quarter commenced, Adrianna Shallci got the first basket and the game had turned on its head. It was from this moment on though, the superior spread of scoring among the University of Galway Mystics ranks began to tell. Ellie Glavin, Maedhbh O’Brien and Emma Glavin all made contested shots inside, complimenting the poise on the ball of Hazel Finn and Kara McCleane, who took turns leading the offense. Contrastingly, Waterford Wildcats became more reliant on Irish internationals Hickey and Gloeckner to keep them in touch and, as the Galway defence stiffened and Wildcats tried to get others involved, they were unable to come up with the required shots on a consistent basis. A 16-2 run in the final six minutes of the third quarter proving too great an obstacle for them to overcome.

To their credit, Waterford rallied in the fourth and cut the gap from 12-points to just two, through the sheer perseverance of Hickey beneath the basket and another well timed Fitzgerald three, but 58-56 with 7-minutes on the clock was as close as they could get to their opponents. One final 9-0 run by Mystics was enough to close out the game and advance to the final in two weeks’ time. 

Quarter Score:

Q1: 13-20

Q2: 32-29

Q3: 44-56

Q4: 62-77 

Waterford Wildcats: Grace O’Brien; Orla Dullaghan; Caitlin Gloeckner; Sarah Hickey; Ardiana Shallci; Sheenagh Whelehan; Illana Fitzgerald; Lien Garcia De Bikini; Robyn O’Grady; Eimear O’Donnell; Opel Olajide. 

Top Scorers: Sarah Hickey (27), Caitlin Gloeckner (19), Illana Fitzgerald (6), Grace O’Brien (6).

Coach: Jillian Hayes

University of Galway Mystics: Hazel Finn; Aoibhinn Walsh; Kara McCleane; Ellie Glavin; Ava McCleane; Emma Glavin; Caoimhe O’Sullivan; Maedhbh O’Brien; Caragh Loughrey.

Top Scorers: Kara McCleane (22), Hazel Finn (15), Emma Glavin (13), Ellie Glavin (13), Maedhbh O’Brien (11),  

Coach: Paul O’Brien