McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles survive Limerick Celtics surge to reach Division One National Cup Final

Emma Tolan struck from both sides of the arc in the closing two minutes to drag McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles over the line and into this season’s Women’s Division One National Cup Final at the expense of holders, Limerick Celtics whom they edged out 68-64 at MTU Arena on Saturday evening.

In what was an enthralling semi-final, Limerick managed to completely wipe out a 14-point half-time deficit deep into the fourth quarter as Shelby Harmeyer landed a series of huge threes, taking her tally to a game-high 23.

But the defending champions fell just short of finishing the job, as Cavan demonstrated a resolve that has helped see them go top of Division One this season on a record of 9 and 0 to set up a date with iSecure Swords Thunder in this season’s cup decider.

Two buckets for Lanetta Williams, together with another from Rahmena Henderson and two free throws from Tolan saw Cavan race into an 8-0 lead with just over three minutes gone.

Yet Limerick refused to panic and steadily worked their way back with Harmeyer striking from both sides of the arc before Louise Scannell also drained a big three and Sabhbh Edwards Murphy made the most of her two attempts from the line to see the holders overtake, if only briefly, in the first quarter.

Eagles steadied the ship with a seven-point run, but again Limerick fought back, Scannell’s shot from distance reducing their arrears to 16-13 by the close of the first quarter.

Very little separated the two sides over the opening three minutes of the second period, but Cavan managed to string together a 10-point run that featured an ‘and-one’ by Casey Mulvey.

Another much-needed three-pointer by Scannell did arrest that Cavan surge, but only temporarily, as Eagles served up another 10 unanswered points, Emma and Niamh Tolan getting in for buckets as did Williams.

Limerick did account for the final four points of the first half courtesy of Stephanie McBride, but at 42-28, the defending champions were facing an uphill battle heading into the second half.

Knowing they needed to quickly recoup some ground, Celtics came out strong in the third quarter, playing some intense defence that kept their opponents off the three-point line while they began to chip away at the deficit.

Scores from both sides of the arc as well as the free-throw line by McBride, together with a three-point play by Meabh Purtill helped haul Limerick back to within six of their opponents, before Emma Tolan sparked some life back into the Cavan offence when she landed a three.

Henderson weighed in with a timely deuce for Eagles but a three-point buzzer beater by Harmeyer left eight (54-46) between the sides and Limerick still very much harbouring hopes of a comeback heading into the fourth.

Those hopes swelled when Harmeyer looped in another fine three along with a deuce either side of a Cavan timeout that reduced the gap to just three points.

Henderson, however, drained a big shot from downtown before making another from the inside to steady the Cavan nerves, but Limerick were still well in it with five minutes to go and when Harmeyer sank another two threes, the game was deadlocked at 63 points apiece with just over two minutes remaining.

However, just when it looked like Cavan might buckle, up popped Emma Tolan with a massive deuce and three to effectively drag her side over the line.

Quarter Scores: Q1: 13-16, Q2: 28-42, Q3: 46-54, Q4: 64-68

Limerick Celtics:

Jade You, Aine Keating, Louise Scannell, Amy Buckley, Stephanie McBride, Sabhbh Edwards Murphy, Laura Gocek, Alli Walsh, Sorcha Cronin, Meabh Purtill, Shelby Harmeyer, Anna Nealon.

Top Scorers: Shelby Harmeyer (23), Stephanie McBride (21), Louise Scannell (10).

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles:

Rahmena Henderson, Niamh Tolan, Emma Tolan, Ciara Brady, Ciara Tolan, Casey Mulvey, Jane Larkin, Laura McFarland, Lanetta Williams.

Top Scorers: Rahmena Henderson (19), Emma Tolan (18), Lanetta Williams (12), Casey Mulvey (10).