FloMAX Liffey Celtics defeat SETU Waterford Wildcats 78-53 to reach Paudie O’Connor Cup final

FloMAX Liffey Celtics are into their first Paudie O’Connor Cup final since their 2018/19 title success, following a 78-53 victory over SETU Waterford Wildcats at Neptune Stadium on Saturday. Captain Áine O’Connor led by example with 20 points, with fellow Irish internationals Sorcha Tiernan picking up 14 points and eight rebounds for the victors.

A pair of layups for O’Connor and Tiernan gave FloMAX Liffey Celtics a fast start and they were up by 13, 16-3, following a three from O’Connor just before the midpoint in the opening quarter. SETU Waterford Wildcats got themselves back into it, Sarah Hickey was key to it, grabbing nine points, as they trailed 25-15 at the end of the first.

A Kate Hickey three two minutes into the second quarter was met with a loud cheer from the Wildcats supporters, the deficit now nine, 29-20. Sarah Hickey and Kate O’Flaherty exchanged three’s with three minutes to go, the Kildare outfit 38-28 in front. O’Connor brought her tally to 16 points late on in the quarter, as FloMAX Liffey Celtics led 44-28. American Chelsea Cain reduced the deficit going into the break, 44-30.

The gap was 20 points midway through the third following Eboni Williams’ basket, FloMAX Liffey Celtics 57-37 up. SETU Waterford Wildcats responded with a four point run through a pair of Kate Hickey free throws and Helena Rohan’s basket. However the gap would return to 20, 61-41 at the end of the third.

Irish international Áine O’Connor is on a tear for @LiffeyCelticsBC 😮‍💨

📊| 18 PTS | 2 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL#NationalCup | #IrishBasketball pic.twitter.com/dnPQp55s0r

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) January 11, 2025

Eboni Williams was prominent for Liffey Celtics in the fourth quarter, a pair of layups followed by a shotclock-beating three helped them to a 70-47 lead with 4’47 to go. Williams would end with 11 points and 13 rebounds. O’Connor’s layup brought her personal tally to a game-high 20 after that. Liffey Celtics successfully negotiated the closing stages to win 78-53 

FloMAX Liffey Celtics captain O’Connor said: “It’s great, we were on the other side of the result last year, so we wanted to come back this year, put down a marker from the start and not leave anything behind, we couldn’t come away with regrets this year, so delighted for next week.” 

“We wanted to come down this year, put down a marker and not come away with any regrets.” 🗣️

FloMAX Liffey Celtics captain Áine O'Connor on today's win in the Paudie O'Connor National Cup semi-final against SETU Waterford Wildcats 👇#BINationalCup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ad2FTsDDpK

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) January 11, 2025

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 25-15, Q2: 19- 15 Q3: 17-11, Q4: 17-12

Game Scores:

Q1: 25-15, Q2: 44-30, Q3: 61-41, Q4: 78-53

FloMAX Liffey Celtics:

Kelly Bracken (2), Kate O’Flaherty (3), Ciara Bracken (DNP), Eboni Williams (11), Rachel Huijsdens (2), Kate O’Sullivan (0), Clara Boyce (0), Sorcha Tiernan (14), Hazel Finn (12), Alexandra Navarette (14), Aine O’Connor (20).

SETU Waterford Wildcats:

Isabelle Daniels (0), Kate Hickey (13), Orla Dullaghan (0), Helena Rohan (4), Sarah Hickey (16), Aoife Brett (0), Ashia McCalla (6), Ardiana Shallci (0), Miriam Aanna Rasenberger (0), Sinead Deegan (0), Chelsea Cain (14).