Limerick Celtics defeat Abbey Seals Dublin Lions to win first InsureMyHouse.ie Women’s Division One National Cup title

Limerick Celtics defeated defending champions Abbey Seals Dublin Lions 64-55 to win the InsureMyHouse.ie Women’s Division One National Cup for the first time.

Having witnessed their U20’s men claim a first ever National Cup at that age level earlier on Saturday prior to taking the court, Limerick Celtics doubled up on silverware at the National Basketball Arena.

After a scoreless opening two and a half minutes, the side’s exchanged threes, Samantha Colman’s basket matched by Emily Smyth moments later. Sophia Widmeyer put Abbey Seals Dublin Lions 7-6 up with four minutes gone, but after that Limerick Celtics went on a 15-point run to take control of the game, Mikayla Brandon helped herself to nine points in that run, either side of two Lucy Devoy three pointers, as she also found her range.

Limerick Celtics took a 21-11 lead in the second quarter and extended their advantage further to 19 points - Brandon’s three point jump shot had them 32-13 midway through the quarter. Abbey Seals kept their opponents scoreless for the rest of the quarter, while grabbing eight points of their own to close the gap to 32-21 by half-time, Widmeyer’s three the last points of the half. 

The third quarter saw Sydney Kin score 11 of our side’s 15 points, a layup from her saw Abbey Seals Dublin Lions trail 45-34 with two and a half minutes to go in the third quarter and the Dublin club’s fans were starting to believe. Limerick Celtics, however, would hold a 46-36 lead by the end of the quarter.

Tony Hehir’s side stretched the gap once more at the start of the fourth quarter, Aoife Morrissey’s basket had them 51-38 ahead two minutes in. A layup from Kin and additional converted free throw reduced the deficit to 53-45 with three and a half minutes to go.

It was a six-point game, 57-51, with 30 seconds to go thanks two three’s from Lions’ Emily Smyth, either side a Lucy Devoy basket for Celtics – the composed Devoy would finish with 18 points. The final seconds concluded with the sides exchanging free-throws, Limerick Celtics winning 64-55.

Mikayla Brandon was awarded MVP after a fine all-round performance, posting 22 points and 20 rebounds,  four assists and four steals. Speaking afterwards she said: “I’m not from here so I didn’t realise how big of game this was, but my teammates showed me how big this was supposed to be. I did all I could for them and for this club - I gave it all I got.”

Limerick Celtics 64–55 Abbey Seals Dublin Lions 

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 21-11 , Q2: 32-21, Q3: 46-36, Q4: 64-55

Limerick Celtics:

Lucy Devoy, Dearbhail O’Connor, Ali Walsh, Aoife Morrissey, Sabhbh Edwards Murphy, Sorcha Cronin, Mikayla Brandon, Amy Buckley, Anna Parra Sanchez, Samantha Coleman.

Head Coach: Tony Hehir

Top Scorers: Mikayla Brandon 22, Lucy Devoy 18, Samantha Coleman 12 

Abbey Seals Dublin Lions:

Sydney Kin, Emily Smyth, Katie Flanagan, Tomiwa Adeyemi, Tara Nevin, Caoimhe Gilligan, Ciara Wheeler, Sophia Widmeyer, Ciara Broderick, Gillian Wheeler, Claudia Sanchez.

Head Coach: Rob White

Top Scorers:  Sydney Kin 29, Emily Smyth 9, Sophia Widmeyer 8