Trinity Meteors shock defending champions Killester to reach Domino’s Women’s Super League Final

Leilani Turner and Hazel Finn battle it out for posession during the Domino's Women's Super League semi-final between Killester and Trinity Meteors on Saturday. Photo credit Martin Doherty Photography.

Trinity Meteors defeated back-to-back Domino's Women's Super League champions Killester 76-74 in an overtime thriller to set up a Domino's Women's Super League final against UCC Glanmire, who beat FloMAX Liffey Celtics 89-72 in their semi-final at the Mardyke Arena.

Samantha Haiby had her highest scoring game since December for top seeds Killester with a 29-point performance, along with 12 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to get past a resolute Trinity Meteors. Irish international Hazel Finn had a 14-point, 16-rebound double-double, while Meteors had another two players with double-double games, Ava Learn getting 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Kylie Horstmeyer contributed 17 points and 13 boards.

Samantha Haiby had 29 points for Killester in the Domino's Women's Super League semi-final against Trinity Meteors. Photo credit Martin Doherty Photography.

Trinity started the brighter of the two sides, getting a 16-9 first quarter in their favour. In the second, Finn scored six of her 14 points to ensure Trinity went in at the half-time interval with an eight-point lead at 36-28. Both sides were cancelling each other out for the majority of the third, but it was in the fourth quarter where Killester forced their way back into proceedings. With just a minute to go of normal time, Meteors held a 66-59 advantage. But after a three from Ieva Bagdanaviciene and a score from Audrey Roden cut the deficit to two, Haiby sent the game to overtime with a pair of free-throws at the end of the game.

In overtime, Kylie Horstmeyer and Ciara Mulligan nailed big scores to give Meteors a five-point lead. Michelle Clarke hit a three to bring Meteors lead down to just two with 20 seconds on the clock, however, Killester could not find another equaliser, as Meteors booked their spot in the final on April 12th. Meteors coach Seamas Donnelly was full of praise for the effort his side displayed to get to the final.

Speaking after the win, Donnelly said: “To beat such a quality team as Killester, we needed 40 minutes, plus extra-time of intensive, aggressive defence which our team delivered on. This combines with Trinity Meteors players on the court taking responsibility to score at crucial parts of the game, laying the foundations for our victory.”

Viane Cumber and Jewel Watkins combined for 50 points as UCC Glanmire secured their spot in the Domino’s Women’s Super League final with an 89-72 triumph over FloMAX Liffey Celtics. Cumber dropped 30 points in the semi-final, whilst Watkins scored 20 and added 11 rebounds.

Following a huge upset victory over Killarney last weekend, it was going to be a tall task to eliminate another top-three seed for Celtics. But the opening period showed Celtics were up for the challenge, exploiting defensive issues for Glanmire to take a 23-22 lead at the end of the first. Glanmire replied in a major way in quarter two, with scores from Cumber and Annalise Murphy putting Glanmire up by 13 midway through the second. They would hold the same advantage at half-time of the semi-final, with the score at 51-38.

Glanmire only furthered their dominance in the second-half, Jewel Watkins scored 16 of her 20 points in the third and fourth quarter of the game. After a 20-11 third quarter, Glanmire ensured to remain grounded and managed to hold out despite a spirited performance in the final quarter for Celtics. The 2022/23 Super League champions will be hoping to make it two titles in four seasons. Head coach Mark Scannell ensured his side are focused on the job that is yet to be finished.

Scannell said, “We are delighted to get back to the  Super League final. This team has been fantastic in the last few months, their commitment has been outstanding. I am delighted for our whole club and all those volunteers who keep the show on the road. It is back to work on Tuesday. Plan, prepare and be ready for a tough battle with Meteors. For Áine (McKenna), Claire (O'Sullivan) and Miriam (Loughrey) to have another shot at a league title is amazing. Our American players are special and they complement our team so well and I think our younger group are as good as anyone.”