St. Mary’s 64 (38) Liffey Celtics 40 (14)
extract from www.basketballireland.ie
St. Marys hit the court like a jet engine, with Liffey Celtics playing
zone defence – meat and drink to the Castleisland run-and gunners, especially
an on-fire Danielle McLoughlin, who had 7 points and three assists as Marys
powered into a 15-8 lead – moreover, herself and Louise O’Connor were in
control of the rebounds.
To make things worse for Celtics, they were leaving scores behind them 2/12 from
free throws in the first half alone. St. Marys, meanwhile, simply couldn’t
miss, with Philomena O’Connor particularly devastating. Castleisland led 38
– 14 at half-time and realistically Celtics weren’t going to close that gap.
Despite Trojan resistance from Aine O’Connor on the post. Philomena
effectively spelt the end of the contest midway through the third with three
spectacular shots from outside to make it 51-18.
Baskets from Maud Anne Foley, O’Connor, and Erica O’Keeffe left it
51-25 at the end of the third. St. Marys coach Denis Potter had the luxury of
running his bench in the fourth.
There was a slender possibility of it being a luxury too far as O’Keeffe
slotted three baskets in a row for Celtics but McLoughlin and Philomena
O’Connor powered St. Marys into the final, where they can expect a tougher
test from Glanmire.
St. Mary’s: Philomena O'Connor (21),
Danielle McLoughlin (13), Mary Herlihy (6), Miriam Leane (6), Louise O'Connor
(11), Maura Conroy (4), Lauren Prendiville (3) Cliodhna Crowley, Amber Galwey,
Clodagh O'Connor.
Liffey Celtics: Aine O'Connor (11), Shauna Homan (9), Maud Anne Foley (5), Erika
O 'Keeffe (15), Emily Gleeson, Sinead Conway, Fiona Fitzsimmons, Karen Daly,
Cliodhna McNamara, M. Howe, L. McDermott, S. McGrath