Fixtures, dates and times confirmed for National Cup semi-finals

Defending Domino’s WSL National Cup champions FloMAX Liffey Celtics will face Trinity Meteors in the semi-finals, following the draw at the National Basketball Arena on Monday. Eight-time winners UCC Glanmire will take on 2023/24 Paudie O’Connor Cup champions Killester.

The Domino’s MSL National Cup last four sees Ballincollig play semi-final debutants Limerick Celtics, while UCD Marian are up against Garvey’s Tralee Warriors.

FloMAX Liffey Celtics head coach Hillary Netsiyanwa will face his former club Trinity Meteors, who were finalists in 2022/23. “This matchup obviously carries history for me, but the focus is entirely on our team and the standards we are holding ourselves to. Despite our struggles, we will continue to fight and earn our place wherever we go.”, Netsiyanwa said.

It's eight-time winners UCC Glanmire versus four-time winners Killester in the second semi-final. Mark Scannell, UCC Glanmire head coach, feels his side will be in for a challenge. “It’s a tough draw, we knew whoever we got would be very difficult, Killester are the standard setters right now and we must prepare well, but we’ll use the next three tough league games to get ready. They have lots of threats, plus the player of the year last year (Samantha Haiby). Both teams have a good pedigree in the Cup and I don’t think the big occasion will be a factor, the better prepared team and whoever performs on the day will prevail.” 

Limerick Celtics won the Presidents’ Cup last season and their Cup success has continued into their debut season in the Domino’s MSL National Cup, having been promoted from Domino’s Men’s Division One. They eliminated defending champions UCC Demons in the opening round, before getting past St. Vincent’s in the quarter-finals.

Head coach Tony Hehir is relishing the prospect of a semi-final against Ballincollig on Friday night. “Limerick Celtics’ first ever appearance in the Domino’s MSL National Cup semi-final is absolutely huge for the club and for the basketball community in Limerick. Our opening Super League game against Ballincollig back in early October was a cracker of a game and hopefully we will see another great semi-final in Neptune Stadium. Ballincollig have improved greatly in recent weeks, but our quarter-final performance against St. Vincent’s on Saturday night will give us great confidence going forward.”, he stated. 

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors’ prize for edging out Killester in the quarter-finals is another Dublin opponent, as they take on UCD Marian, who eliminating fellow-Kerry side Flexachem KCYMS in the last eight.

John Dowling, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors head coach, gave this assessment of their upcoming opponents: “Everyone is excited to be back in Cork for cup semi-final weekend along with Tralee Magic in the U20 Women’s and St. Brendan’s in U18 men. UCD Marian will be as tough a test as any, so we will have to prepare well over the next few weeks. They are pretty similar to ourselves, they have guys that can all score the ball, good depth from the bench, that with Tanner (Graham) and (Joshua) Reynolds they can hurt you in a variety of ways.”

In the Domino’s MD1 National Cup semi-finals, Templeogue will face 2023/24 Presidents’ Cup finalists Limerick Sport Eagles, while 2021/22 finalists Drogheda Wolves play Ulster University, who won the competition in 2022/23. 

The Domino’s WD1 National Cup draw saw Templeogue get Cleveland Rockets in the last four, while Limerick Sport Huskies are up against Moy Tolka Rovers.

The U18 Women's National Cup kicks off proceedings at Neptune Stadium on Friday night, with Limerick Celtics taking on Templeogue at 6pm, the other tie in the competition Kilkenny Stars versus Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell is at Parochial Hall on Sunday at 1.30pm.

It's a Friday night start for the U20 Women's National Cup too, with a Cork derby as Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell face Glanmire at 7pm at Parochial Hall, the second semi-final pits Tralee Magic and Templeogue at 11am on Sunday in the same venue.

The IWA National Cup semi-final between Rebel Wheelers and Clonaslee is the opening game at MTU Arena on Saturday at 10am, as the Cork outfit chase a seventh Cup title in a row. It's the same tip off time and same venue for the semi-final between Titans Basketball and South East Swifts WCB on Sunday.

Saturday's action at MTU Arena continues with back-to-back U18 Men's Billy Coffey National Cup with St. Brendan's Tralee facing Portlaoise Panthers at 1230, followed at 3pm by Dublin Lions versus Oblate BC.

The U20 Men's National Cup Neptune face Portlaoise Panthers at 11am at Neptune Stadium on Sunday, while it's Titans against Éanna at 1215 on the same day at MTU Arena.

The NICC Women's National Cup start proceedings at 11am on Saturday at Neptune Stadium, as St. Mary's Castleisland face Liffey Celtics, the Kildare outfit are chasing a third title in four years, having lost out in the final last season. Fr. Mathews take on Killester in the second semi-final at Parochial Hall on Saturday at 1230.

Saturday's action at Parochial Hall begins with the NICC Men's National Cup, as Ongar Chasers come up against Killester at 10am. The second semi-final is on Sunday, but the venue and time is still to be determined with Phoenix Belfast the winner of the quarter-final between Ballincollig and Neptune. If Neptune prevail it will take place at 1.30pm at Neptune Stadium, however if Ballincollig advance to the semi-finals, it will be at MTU Arena at 2.30pm.

Spectator tickets for the National Cup semi-finals weekend will be released later this week. All games will be live on BITV.

Domino’s MSL National Cup semi-finals

Friday 2nd January

Ballincollig v Limerick Celtics, Neptune Stadium, 2015

Saturday 3rd January

UCD Marian v Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, Neptune Stadium, 2000

Domino’s WSL National Cup semi-finals

Saturday 3rd January

Trinity Meteors v FloMAX Liffey Celtics, Neptune Stadium, 1330

UCC Glanmire v Killester, Neptune Stadium, 1600

Domino’s MD1 National Cup semi-finals

Saturday 3rd January

Drogheda Wolves v Ulster University, Parocial Hall, 1830

Templeogue v Limerick Sport Eagles, MTU Arena, 2015

Domino’s WD1 National Cup semi-finals

Saturday 3rd January

Templeogue v Cleveland Rockets, Parochial Hall, 1600

Limerick Sport Huskies v Moy Tolka Rovers, MTU Arena, 1800

Full fixture, time and venue details for underage National Cup, NICC National Cup and IWA National Cup in dropdown below.