Limerick Celtics power into U18 Women’s National Cup basketball final

LIMERICK Celtics are into the U18 Women’s National Cup final, following a 79-59 win over Templeogue at Neptune on Friday night.

Emer Purtill top scored for the victors with 23 points.

After a cagey opening quarter, Limerick Celtics held a narrow 18-14 advantage, but just past the midpoint of the second quarter Jordan Hehir’s team had a 12 point lead, 34-22, following a three by Emer Purtill. Sophie Gallagher’s basket for Templeogue made it a 10-point game, 36-26 by half-time.

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Templeogue kept themselves into the contest, a jump shot by Grace Miley saw them trail 47-38 with less than three minutes to go in the third quarter.

A minute later a three from Megan Hehir and a Maebh Purtill’s basket inside the paint had Limerick Celtics 54-40 to the good, Maebh Purtill had picked up 13 points at that stage. It would be 54-43 by the end of the third quarter.

Templeogue raced out of the blocks in the fourth quarter, Katie Behan’s two point jump shot beat the shotclock, followed by a corner three by Laura Byrne reduced it to 54-48 with a little over a minute gone.

A three from Eabha Booth had Templeogue within six points midway through the quarter, 57-51. Limerick Celtics responded immediately with a layup from Robyn Walsh and a jump shot from Laura Buckley to restore a 10 point advantage, 61-51. The game was running away from Templeogue, another Booth three kept it at 64-54.

When former Ireland U16 captain Buckley landed from the three point line with less than two minutes to go to make it 75-57 to Limerick Celtics, it was destined to be their day. They will face either Kilkenny Stars or Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell in the final, their semi-final takes place at 1.30pm at Parochial Hall on Sunday.

Quarter Scores: Q1: 18-14, Q2: 18-12 Q3: 18-17, Q4: 25-16

Game Scores: Q1: 18-14, Q2: 36-26, Q3: 54-43, Q4: 79-59

Limerick Celtics: Caoimhe Sweeney (0), Laura Gocek (0), Emma Sommers (0), Anna Nealon (1), Eabha Hayes (7), Laura Buckley (15), Robyn Walsh (7), Holly Meagher (0), Madelyn Hartigan (10), Emer Purtill (23), Megan Hehir (3), Meabh Purtill (13)

Templeogue: Grace Miley (2), Eabha Booth (18), Tea Gjoni (0), Laura Byrne (12), Sophia Kiely (DNP), Katie Behan (11), Maria Mroczek (0), Emily Hannigan (0), Rosa Knaggs (0), Sophie Gallagher (12), Matilda Parker (4), Mila Dimitrova (0)