Limerick Celtics defeat ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers 72-60 to win first Presidents’ National Cup

A fourth quarter flourish helped Limerick Celtics defeat ND Portlaoise Panthers 72-60 and lift the Presidents’ National Cup for the first time.

These two sides came into the game at the National Basketball Arena with unbeaten seasons so far, Limerick 13-0 and ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers 12-0 in Men’s Division One. A tight contest was expected and that is how it unfolded, Limerick Celtics 17-15 ahead by the end of the first. 

It was a similar pattern in the second quarter, Eric Anderson’s basket a minute into the second quarter put ND Portlaoise Panthers in front for the first time 19-17. The side’s exchanged leads, Limerick Celtics nudged themselves 30-29 in front following a dunk from Abdul Wurie with 3’35 left in second quarter. Celtics would hold a five point lead by the end of the quarter, 36-31.

A layup from AJ Williams made it 39-35 to Celtics just before the midpoint of the third quarter, he had 14 points at that stage on his way to claiming the MVP. Williams finished with 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

AJ Williams in action for Limerick Celtics during the Presidents' National Cup final against ND Portlaoise Panthers at the National Basketball Arena.

Philip Kearney nailed a lovely corner three to put Celtics 42-37 up with 4’21” to go in the quarter. But it was level at 42-42 following Aleksandar Kovacevic’s basket with three minutes to go. Limerick Celtics went back in front by five once more, 49-44, with 50 seconds remaning, following another Williams score, only for Xabier Arriaga to claw it back at the finish, to leave it poised at 49-46 going into the final quarter.

Limerick Celtics opened a seven point lead at the start of the fourth quarter, 55-48, following Williams’ basket. But again that was reeled in, Anderson with a basket and two free throws to trail 55-52.

The gap was seven points, 59-52, following a steal and layup by Finn Hughes and a two point jump shot from the corner by Williams with less than six minutes to go. It was a 10 point gap, 62-52, when Hughes slotted from the three point line.

Portlaoise Panthers needed a response, Anderson hit a long range three to bring his tally to 25 points. That score was matched by Hughes, who was finding his range in the fourth quarter - scoring 10 of his 15 points in it - and Celtics led 67-55 with 2’16” to go and they weren’t to be caught.

Limerick Celtics head coach Tony Hehir said: “It means everything to us, we’re a young club, we’ve had so much development over the year with the younger players and it’s incredible to see them on this platform winning a National Cup today.”

He added, “In fairness to Portlaoise they really came back strong, and they are a great basketball team, but I thought our third and fourth quarter performance on defence probably won the game for us.”

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 13-21, Q2: 16-19 Q3: 15-13, Q4: 14-23

Game Scores:

Q1: 12-21, Q2: 31-36, Q3: 46-49, Q4: 60-72

Limerick Celtics:

Eoghan Donaghy (4) Ariyon Jamal Williams (25), Martin Frawley (DNP), Finn Hughes (15), Matthew Barry (DNP), Chima Obikwelu (12), Abdul Wurie (12), Philip Kearney (4), Sean Ryan (DNP), Vadjikiba Dosso (DNP), Cian Gleeson (0), Jordan Hehir (0). 

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers:

Cillian O’Connell (0), Dylan Dunne (DNP), James Phelan (6), Cormac Howson (DNP), Eric Anderson (25), Davin McEvoy (0), Kevin Donohoe (0), Gary Morrissey (5), Xabier Arriaga (12), Kyle Burke (DNP), Aleksandar Kovacevic (6), Liam Kinsella (6).