Killester defeat McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles to reach semi-finals of Domino’s Women’s Super League play-offs

Killester have advanced to the semi-finals of the Domino’s Women’s Super League play-offs after a 61-50 win over McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles in the IWA on Saturday evening. Samantha Haiby had her strongest game since her return from injury, scoring 18 points, grabbing seven rebounds and five assists.

Killester put pressure on from the jump, letting in just three points in the entire first period, going into the second quarter leading 18-3. Eagles came roaring back in the second quarter, with Niamh Tolan scoring 10 of her 17 points in the quarter before the half-time break. Following a late flurry that included scores from Sophie Staunton and Ciara Tolan, Eagles reduced the deficit to eight at half-time, with the score 32-24 to Killester at the break. Killester held firm after the interval, shooting a relatively promising 6-14 from the field in the third quarter on their way to 18 points, which extended their lead to 50-39. Following a tight fourth quarter, Killester held on to secure the 11-point triumph.

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Killester will welcome Trinity Meteors next weekend in the semi-final stage to see who will head to the National Basketball Arena for the Domino’s Women’s Super League final.

UCC Glanmire managed to overcome local rivals Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell in an 82-78 triumph. Jewel Watkins kept her team-leading form going with a 26-point performance alongside 33 points from the supporting duo of Annaliese Murphy and Viane Cumber.

The Cork derby kicked off as cagey as expected, both sides cancelling each other out on the court, with seven fouls in the first quarter between the teams in a quarter that ended 13-12 to Brunell. The second period was a lot more open on the offensive end, with Glanmire scoring 30 points, with Watkins scoring 15 in the second quarter to open up an 11-point lead at 42-31 going into the break.

Brunell came roaring back after the break, with tough finishes from Kyaja Williams and Brailyn Joseph, along with a big three from Francesca Kyamagero, bringing Brunell to within four points at 49-45 midway through the third. The final quarter went down to the wire, with Irish international Edel Thornton scoring Brunell’s final five points inside the final minute of play to bring the score to 80-78. However, an Emer Dunne score for Glanmire iced the game in the final seconds to give Glanmire the four-point triumph.

Glanmire will play the winners of Sunday’s semi-final between Utility Trust St. Paul's Killarney and Liffey Celtics, which will decide whether Glanmire play a home or away semi-final, depending on the winner in Sunday’s tie.

Trinity Meteors held on despite a late comeback from SETU Waterford Wildcats to book their place in the semis with a 72-69 victory in Trinity Sports Centre. Irish international Hazel Finn and Franciska Treiliha scored 30 points between them, along with a strong game from Ava Learn. She scored 11 points and grabbed 20 rebounds for Meteors. For Wildcats, Irish international Sarah Hickey led the way with 25 points, along with 16 points from Alyssa Frescas and 12 from Tiarra Brown.

Despite the fightback from Wildcats, they never managed to take the lead at any point during the game. They managed to cut Meteors largest lead of the game to 18 points, down to just one point with a minute to go. Finn managed to weave her way through the core of the Wildcats defence for a good finish at the rim to score what would prove to be the decisive basket, and book Meteors' place in the next round.

Meteors will travel to Killester next weekend in hopes of making it to the final in the National Basketball Arena in three weeks.

There is one place left in the semi-finals of the Domino’s Women’s Super League, with Utility Trust St. Paul's Killarney hosting FloMAX Liffey Celtics on Sunday, with the victor facing UCC Glanmire next weekend.

St. Paul's against Liffey Celtics will be shown live and exclusively on BITV this Sunday, with the game set for a 15:45 start.