"It's something every player dreams of " - Limerick Sport Huskies' Orlaith Woods on National Cup final

THE Limerick Sport Huskies are gearing up for a date with destiny when they take on Cleveland Rockets in the Domino's Women's Division One National Cup final at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght. 

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The Huskies will be taking on their Antrim opponents in the capital on Sunday at 12.15pm.

The Huskies secured a safe passage to this month's decider after an emphatic semi-final victory over Moy Tolka Rovers after recording three 20+ point quarters to cruise past their Dublin opponents, 74-45, at MTU in Cork.

Huskies stalwart Orlaith Woods reflects on the Huskies' impressive semi-final display.

"Tolka are a great team but we stuck to our game plan and we didn't let the moment get to us. Our intensity from the start was massive and that didn't drop when the bench came in. We defended well, we moved the ball well and the whole team was on form. Every player contributed and it shows how close of a group we are, it was great to grind out a win against such an energetic side.

"We were confident going in because we had prepared well, we had a good win against the Celtics the week before in the league where we had to come back and show our resilience. We ended up coming back and winning well in the end which filled us with a lot of confidence heading into the semi-final. I was confident that if we stuck to the game plan against Tolka, that we would get the win.

Woods, who is co-captain of the Huskies alongside Fiona O'Connell, says the club are 'really looking forward' to Sunday's clash.

"We're just really looking forward to it now. Belfast are a very strong and a very consistent team so we know it's going to be a very tough game. They are at the top of the league table for a reason and they've only lost two games all season in the league but we will prepare properly and back ourselves. If we stay disciplined, play as a team and keep our intensity high for the full game, we have a good chance.

"Finals are about who can handle the pressure so we'll focus on that, we won't be relying on any one player, everyone will have their role and that mentality is what has gotten us to this point in the season.

"We're very excited to be playing in a cup final in the National Arena. It's something every player dreams of. The atmosphere will be fantastic and it's a great chance to show what the Huskies are about.

Woods says that it would be 'an incredible honour' to get the job done in Sunday's decider, as both the Limerick Sport Huskies and the Limerick Sport eagles take to the court on the same day. 

"It would be an incredible honour if we were to get over the line in the final. For the whole club, the coaches, everyone involved in the club who has put in so much work behind the scenes. 

"It would be great to inspire the younger players in the club, so that they can see that they can reach this level too. We are aware that there are young girls watching us within the club and that's a big motivation for us.

"Having the Limerick Sport Eagles in the final on the same day with us is fantastic also. Both teams being in National Cup Finals on the same day shows how strong the set up is within the club. 

"It's just a massive occasion and there's a massive buzz about the place. We'll both be there supporting each other on the day and in general Limerick basketball is in such a good place right now and days like this prove this. 

"The support we have received so far has been great and hopefully there will be another big crowd in Tallaght, we'll give everything on the court for them.

"It's very exciting, it feels unreal, we've worked hard all season and this group really deserves it. To do it with such a special group and coaching staff makes it all the more better and we just have one more big job to do."