FloMAX Liffey Celtics secure back-to-back InsureMyHouse.ie Women's National Intermediate Cup Competition titles

FloMAX Liffey Celtics made it back-to-back InsureMyHouse.ie Women's National Intermediate Cup Competition titles, thanks to a 84-47 win over Portlaoise Panthers on Sunday.

Maeve Callahane got the opening basket of the contest for Portlaoise Panthers, but after that it the County Kildare outfit took control of proceedings and led from then on. Ada Bowler had two from the three point line, as they built a 21-9 lead by the end of the first quarter.

FloMAX Liffey Celtics opened the second quarter with Caoimhe Masterson landing a three, followed by a Megan Hoffman basket and the gap was now 17 points, 26-9,  two minutes in. That advantage was extended to 20 points a minute later, 31-11, following Niamh Masterson’s three point jump shot.

Portlaoise Panthers went on a seven point run to narrow the deficit to 31-18, Tracey Fallon’s basket was followed by five points from Sinead Melia. But Liffey Celtics were in ominous form and would lead 40-21 by half-time, three players in double figures by the break Hoffman (14), Masterson (11) and Bowler (10).

Megan Hoffman in action for FloMAX Liffey Celtics during the InsureMyHouse.ie Women's National Intermediate Cup Competition

Bowler picked up her fourth from the three point line to open the third quarter. A neat layup from Portlaoise Panthers’ Maeve Callaghan saw them trail 48-27 close to the midpoint of the quarter. FloMAX Liffey Celtics continued to be ruthless from the three point line, while a layup from Karen O’Shea made it a 30-point game, FloMAX Liffey Celtics ahead 58-28, with less than two minutes remaining in the quarter and it would be 62-32 by the end of it.

FloMAX kept the scoreboard ticking over in the fourth quarter, rounding out an 84-47 win. MVP went to Hoffman, after a game-high 22 points and a fine all-round performance. 

“When you’re putting 80+ points up in the Arena you know you’re having a good offensive day, and the girls on the offence were very efficient - we made it quite tough for Portlaoise as we had so many options and the girls were hitting shots.” - Suzanne Maguire, FloMAX Liffey Celtics head coach

FloMAX Liffey Celtics 84-47 Portlaoise Panthers

Quarter Scores: Q1: 21-9, Q2: 40-21, Q3: 62-32, Q4: 84-47

FloMAX Liffey Celtics:

Ada Bowler, Ella Hilliard, Caoimhe Masterson, Rachel O’Carroll, Karen O’Shea, Megan O’Sullivan, Niamh Masterson, Megan Hoffman, Ailbhe Harrington. 

Head Coach: Suzanne Maguire

Top Scorers: Megan Hoffman 22, Niamh Masterson 17, Ada Bowler 13

Portlaoise Panthers:

Catherine Ashe, Sinead Melia, Maeve Cahillane, Claire Foyle, Attracta Phelan, Grainne Tomlinson, Deirdre Tomlinson, Sharon Melia, Marie Ramsbottom, Catherina Mulhare, Tracey Fallon, Ann Marie Troy.

Head Coach: Peter O’Sullivan

Top Scorers: Tracey Fallon 15, Catherine Ashe 8, Maeve Cahillane 6