Catalyst Fr. Mathews defeat FloMAX Liffey Celtics to reach first InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O'Connor Cup final

Catalyst Fr. Mathews are into their first ever InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor National Cup final, following a 71-67 win over FloMAX Liffey Celtics at Neptune Stadium. Ariel Johnson top scored with 24 points, while there were also big performances from Shannon Brady and the Dwyer sisters, Niamh and Gráinne.

There was little to separate the sides in the opening quarter, Alexandra Naverette, who had a team high of 23 points, hit two three’s during it, one of which came in the dying seconds to hand FloMAX Liffey Celtics a 20-16 lead.

But scoring dried up for Karl Kilbride’s side in the opening stages of the second quarter and when Johnson landed her two pointer to bring her personal tally to 10 with 2’41 to go, Catalyst Fr. Mathews were ahead 37-25, prompting a timeout call from FloMAX Liffey Celtics. The Kildare side did narrow the deficit after that, thanks to baskets from captain Áine O’Connor and Tianna Ayulo. Catalyst Fr. Mathews held a 37-29 advantage at half-time.

Pat Price’s team started brightest in the third quarter and built a 16 point lead two and a half minutes in following Johnson’s steal and basket to lead to lead 45-29. Sorcha Tiernan’s three to narrowed the gap to 51-40 with three minutes to go in the quarter. The Ireland international was finding her range and landed another a minute later, as FloMAX Liffey Celtics trailed 52-44 and that’s how the quarter would end.

Gráinne Dwyer in action for Catalyst Fr. Mathews in the InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O'Connor National Cup semi-final at Neptune Stadium

The gap was reduced to two points four minutes into the fourth quarter, thanks to baskets from O’Connor, Naverette and Ayulo. A Niamh Dwyer layup had Fr. Mathews back ahead by six, as she landed the offensive foul extra. FloMAX Liffey Celtics responded with five quickfire points, including a three from Tiernan.

Lesley-Ann Wilkinson landed a lovely three from the corner for Catalyst Fr. Mathews to make it 59-55 at the midpoint of the quarter. A Niamh Dwyer three from the corner was followed by a Johnson jump shot and additional free throw to put Catalyst Fr. Mathews 67-61 ahead with 2’15 left. But FloxMAX Liffey Celtics came storming back, a Naveratte three saw them trail 67-65.

Another Johnson basket and a free throws from Brady saw Fr. Mathews ahead 70-67 with 19.3 seconds to go. As the game restarted, Niamh Dwyer rallied the Fr. Mathews support nearby to the desired effect. A Tiernan three point attempt failed to land, Johnson pounced on possession and was fouled in the process, converting one of her two free throw attempts to wrap up a 71-67 victory.

Speaking afterwards Gráinne Dwyer said: “It feels amazing, we were here five years ago against Brunell on Friday night and they beat us and we have been building ever since. We’ve have had a lot of consistency through the first half of the season and we’ve been building and we’re back where we want to be and looking forward to the final.”

The InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor National Cup final will take place at the National Basketball Arena on Sunday 21^st January and will be broadcast live on TG4, with every game from the National Cup finals weekend shown live on basketballireland.tv.

FloMAX Liffey Celtics 67–71 Catalyst Fr. Mathews

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 20-16 , Q2: 29-37 Q3: 52-44, Q4: 71-67

FlomMax Liffey Celtics:

Tianna Ayulo, Kelly Bracken, Kate O’Flaherty, Niamh Sherlock, Rachel Huijsdens, Mya Pardy, Katie O’Sullivan, Ciara Boyce, Sorcha Tiernan, Georgia Munnelly, Alexandra Naverette, Áine O’Connor

Head Coach: Karl Kilbride

Top Scorers: Alexandra Naverette 23, Tianna Ayulo 14, Sorcha Tiernan 13

Catalyst Fr. Mathews:

Aisha Kaid, Danielle Murphy O’Riordan, Lesley Ann Wilkinson, Amy Murphy, Abby Murphy, Gráinne Dwyer, Arianna Price, Ciara McCarthy, Ariel Johnson, Shannon Brady, Niamh Dwyer

Head Coach: Pat Price

Top Scorers:  Ariel Johnson 24, Shannon Brady 15, Niamh Dwyer 11