McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles secure promotion to Domino’s Women’s Super League with 67-58 win over Limerick Celtics

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles have secured promotion to the Domino’s Women’s Super League, following their 67-58 win over Limerick Celtics in the Domino’s Women’s Division One final on Saturday at the National Basketball Arena. It completes an unbeaten season for John Stephens’ side, winning all 16 of their regular season games, playoff fixtures, along with the Women’s Division One National Cup in January.

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles led from start to finish in this contest and were 22-14 ahead after the opening quarter. Limerick Celtics raced out of the blocks in the second quarter and closed the gap to two points three minutes in, 25-23, following an offensive rebound by Louise Scannell, who picked up eight points in the quarter. 

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles would lead 38-30 by the end of the second quarter with a three from the top of the arc from Ciara Brady and a Lanetta Williams layup in the closing stages - either side of a pair of Sadhbhb Edwards Murphy free throws for Limerick Celtics.

Limerick Celtics got within four points, 42-38, midway through the third quarter following Stephanie McBride basket. McBride was their standout player for Celtics, her two free throws at the end of the quarter saw them trail 51-45. The American would finish with a hugely impressive 27 points and 20 rebounds.

A layup by game MVP Emma Tolan and it was 60-46 to McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles with six minutes to go in the game – she’d finish with 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Limerick Celtics kept plugging away, a three from Scannell made it an eight point game, 62-54, with four and a half minutes remaining, however McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles safely negotiated the closing stages, winning 67-58.

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles captain Niamh Tolan said: “It’s special that we went unbeaten and to pull through today we’re absolutely delighted, we can’t quite believe it. We were nervous going into it, but that pressure is a privilege and it’s something we’ve worked on all season, we took each game at a time.” 

She added: “It’s really, really hard to put into words what a special day it is for our club to make history, to be the first team from Cavan to make the Women’s Super League, it’s amazing, I’m so proud.”

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 22-14, Q2: 16-16 Q3: 13-15, Q4: 16-13

Game Scores:

Q1: 22-14, Q2: 38-30, Q3: 51-45, Q4: 67-58

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles:

Rahmena Henderson (13), Niamh Tolan (11), Emma Tolan (13), Caitlin Carroll (0), Ciara Brady (3), Ciara Tolan (4), Casey Mulvey (8), Jane Larkin (DNP), Laura McFarland (DNP), Lanetta Williams (15)

Limerick Celtics:

Alli Walsh (0), Aine Keating (DNP), Louise Scannell (13), Amy Buckley (4), Stephanie McBride (27), Sabhbh Edwards Murphy (6), Laura Gocek (0), Jade You (DNP), Meabh Purtill (0), Shelby Harmeyer (8), Anna K Nealon (DNP)