Domino’s Women’s Super League champions Killester open with win at FloMAX Liffey Celtics

Domino’s Women’s Super League champions Killester opened the new season with an impressive 89-62 win at last season’s Cup champions FloMAX Liffey Celtics.

Killester started strongly and were 24-16 up by the end of the first quarter, a three from Ireland international Sorcha Tiernan three reduced the deficit in the closing stages for FloMAX Liffey Celtics. 

Killester were dominant, a long range two point jump shot by Audrey Roden had them 47-24 up with just under two minutes to go in the second quarter. A pair of Sam Haiby free throws established a 51-26 lead in the closing seconds before a buzzer beating corner two by Brooke Kane saw the score at 51-28 at half-time. Haiby would finish with a game-high 31 points, with Roden and Michelle Clarke each getting 11 for Killester.

Killester kept FloMAX Liffey Celtics at arm’s length, Leilani Turner’s three from the top of the arc with two and a half minutes to go in the third quarter had them 68-39 up and they’d keep that momentum all the way through.

 Leilani Turner of Killester against FloMAX Liffey Celtics in the Domino's Women's Super League

Speaking in the aftermath Killester head coach Mark Grennell said: “We are delighted with the win. High energy and intensity from the whole team. I’ll admit I’m surprised by the level we hit. Liffey are a very strong group and we controlled it.”

Last season’s Domino’s Women’s Super League playoff finalists Utility Trust St. Paul’s won 75-65 at last season’s regular season table toppers SETU Waterford Wildcats.

Tara Cousins picked up 19 points in the win, including her three near the finish to the half, to give the Kerry side a 39-31 advantage. St. Paul’s other American Maisie Burnham had 23 points and nine rebounds, while Siofra O’Shea was singled out in the aftermath by her head coach following her double double – 10 points and 13 rebounds. 

James Fleming said: “Delighted with the start, we played really well in patches, we moved the ball well on offence and I thought Siofra O’Shea was excellent for us. It’s early days, but it’s great to get a win on the road, there is a great spirit within the group and hopefully we can continue to improve.”

Alyssa Durazo-Frescas top scored with 23 points for Wildcats, while last season’s Domino’s Women’s Super League Player of the Year, Sarah Hickey, continued where she left off with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Trinity Meteors under the stewardship of new head coach Seamas Donnelly began with a 65-61 home win over newly promoted McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles. Hazel Finn, last season’s MVP in the National Cup final top scored with 15 points, while new American Ava Learn had a strong all-round performance, picking up 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Americans Soleil Barnes and Mazatlan Harris had 15 and 12 points respectively for McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles, while Alex Mulligan chipped in with 13 for John Stephens’ side.

Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers were narrow 71-69 road winners at Catalyst Fr. Mathews. Spaniard Christiana Ojide top scored with 19 points, along with 12 rebounds, while their returning Americans Alyssa Velles (18 points) and Jessica Fressle, 17 points and 14 rebounds, were also crucial in the win. Laila Blair racked up 32 points in defeat for the Cork outfit, with Grainne Dwyer contributing 14 points and seven rebounds.

Cork derby bragging rights went the way of Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell, who won 80-75 at UCC Glanmire on Sunday. Glanmire trailed 39-34 at half-time, before turning that into a 63-59 lead by the end of the third. Brunell’s Americans Brailyn Tate-Joseph and Maddie Cluse hit nine apiece in the final quarter on their way to 26 and 24 point totals, to help their side to the spoils.

Guarranabraher Credit Union Brunell lock in their first points of the season with an 80-75 road win in the Cork Derby against UCC Glanmire! 🐘#DominosWSL | #IrishBasketball pic.twitter.com/63ZA8zh7GR

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) October 5, 2025

Liam Culloty, Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell head coach, said: “Tough game - everything you would expect from a Cork derby on the first game of the season. We had to really dig deep in the 3rd quarter when they made a run, but our defence really carried us through. We know we have a lot to improve on, but obviously we're delighted to start the season 1-0.”