Hickey hits 40 points as Waterford Wildcats book final place in InsureMyHouse.ie U20 Women's National Cup

Waterford Wildcats secured their place in the InsureMyHouse.ie U20 Women’s National Cup following their thrilling 68-59 win against FloMAX Liffey Celtics at Parochial Hall. Irish senior international Sarah Hickey proved to be the difference, with a monstrous 40 points for Waterford Wildcats.

Hickey grabbed the first of her many points with the opening score of the game and Waterford Wildcats established an early 8-0 lead. FloMAX Liffey Celtics came back strongly and Katie O’Sullivan’s three pointer near the end of the quarter reduced the deficit to 18-12.

The gap was just three points, 33-30, coming to the end of the second quarter, following Maya Kohli’s basket for FloxMAX Liffey Celtics in the last minute, but two points from Orla Dullaghan and a Sarah Hickey free throw made it 36-30 to Waterford Wildcats at half-time, the game finely poised.

FloxMAX Liffey Celtics drew level in the opening minute of the third quarter, following back-to-back three’s from Kelly Bracken and Clara Boyce, another basket from Boyce and the Kildare outfit hit the front, 38-36. Dullaghan and Boyce exchanged baskets before Hickey took this contest by the scruff of the neck, rattling in 15 points in the quarter, to help put Waterford Wildcats 53-46 up by the end of it.

Three minutes into the fourth quarter, it was a 12-point game, 61-49, following another Dullaghan score. FloMAX Liffey Celtics couldn’t claw themselves back into the contest, Hickey had the final say, her two-point jump shot rounding out a 68-59 win. 

Waterford Wildcats will find out their opponents in the final of the InsureMyHouse.ie U20 Women’s National Cup following the outcome of Killester vs Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell later on Sunday.

Quarter Scores: Q1: 18-12, Q2: 36-30, Q3: 53-46, Q4: 68-59

Waterford Wildcats: Opel Olajide, Caitlin Gloeckner, Sarah Hickey, Aine Foran, Orla Dullaghan, Sheenagh Whelehan, Robyn O’Grady, Isabelle Daniels, Zoe Raethorne, Eimear O’Donnell.

Head Coach: Jilian Hayes

Top Scorers: Sarah Hickey (40), Orla Dullaghan (16), Sheenagh Whelehan (7) 

Templeogue: Kayla McGonigle, Kelly Bracken, Clara Boyce, Sarah Bradley, Rachel O’Carroll,  Mya Pardy, Maya Kohli, Katie O’Sullivan, Georgia Munnelly, Niamh Sherlock

Head Coach: Áine O’Connor

Top Scorers: Katie O’Sullivan (16), Kelly Bracken (13), Mya Pardy (13)

All 11 games from the National Cup finals weekend will be live on basketballireland.tv, while InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy National Cup final and InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor Cup final will both be broadcast live on TG4.