Limerick Sport Huskies clinch InsureMyHouse.ie Women's U20 National Cup final spot in dramatic circumstances

Limerick Sport Huskies claimed the second InsureMyHouse.ie U20 Women’s National Cup final place in the most dramatic of circumstances, needing double overtime to account for Dublin Lions 80-76 and bring the curtain down on a remarkable game of basketball in Upper Glanmire. 

Neither side deserved to lose a contest that had absolutely that lasted over two and a half hours but had everything. Skill, tension, drama and sportsmanship in abundance. Every time either side looked down and out, a different player made a shot that defied logic, but in the end, it was Limerick Sport Huskies who could make the most plays in a cauldron of pressure. Doing so, they earned the right to face University of Galway Mystics, who earlier booked their place in the decider with a win over Waterford Wildcats.

A packed crowd in Upper Glanmire were treated to a fantastic spectacle of shooting to start the game. Emily Smyth and Sophie Moore traded threes, bringing both sets of fans to their feet inside the opening 4-minutes. The pair combined for 17 of the 30-points scored by their respective teams throughout the quarter, which was played at a frenetic pace. That appeared to suit the Limerick side, who eked out a slender 13-17 by the close of play.

That high octane style continued into the second quarter, but this time it was Dublin Lions who took advantage. Smyth hit her third three, while Tara Nevin and Ana Postarnakova both made shots to cap an 8-3 run and Dublin Lions were back in front once more two and a half minutes in. Huskies needed a player to step up and Jessica O’Shea duly obliged, taking it upon herself to drive to the basket time and again, scoring three lay-ups and two free-throws as a result. With all said and done, Huskies went back to the changing rooms with the narrowest of margins, 32-31.

From the moment the teams re-emerged, this game exploded. Some stern defence from the Dublin team in the third, held Huskies to just 9-points from the field and when Kate Flanagan made no mistake with two free-throws at the end of the period, it seemed as if they had established a decisive lead, 48-41 going down the stretch. How wrong was that assumption because back roared Des O’Sullivan’s team. A 13-5 run for the Limerick side in the first six-minutes of the fourth had them amazingly back in front, 54-53. Both sides exchanged scores for the remainder until Emily Smyth looked like putting the final nail in the coffin by hitting two more free-throws with just 17-seconds left, but up stepped Sara Brazil to drain one of the most incredible three-point plays you will see and extend the contest further.

Overtime was a predictably tense affair. Both teams had to make use of their bench as players got tired and into foul trouble. Nothing could separate the teams in the first period and it wasn’t until the game was almost two and a half hours old that the deciding moment came. Sara Brazil started off the final overtime with a 3-point shot, ably followed up by O’Shea and Moore. Limerick Sport Huskies finally had some daylight that they wouldn’t relinquish. Dublin Lions would claw their way back to within two-points on three occasions, but just couldn’t restore parity once more in what was a titanic effort from both sets of players. One for the ages to round off the day’s play in Upper Glanmire, 80-76 the final score.

Quarter Score:

Q1: 13-17

Q2: 31-32

Q3: 48-41

Q4: 60-60

OT: 66-66

OT2: 76-80

Dublin Lions: Emily Smyth; Katie Flanagan; Tara Nevin; Emma Scully; Ana Postarnakova; Beatriz Castro; Adetomiwa Adeyemi.

Top Scorers: Tara Nevin (24), Emily Smyth (21), Ana Postarnakova (15) 

Coach: Rob White

Limerick Sport Huskies: Jessica O’Shea, Emilie Hamel; Keira Shyne; Emma O’Sullivan; Niamh Fahy; Abbie Pigott; Sophie Moore; Hannah Cremin; Bronagh Dollard; Sara Brazil.

Top Scorers: Jessica O’Shea (23), Sophie Moore (17), Emilie Hamel (12) 

Coach: Des O’Sullivan