Limerick Celtics promoted to Domino’s Women’s Super League after thrilling Division One play-off decider

LIMERICK Celtics secured promotion to the Domino’s Women’s Super League in dramatic fashion, defeating Cleveland Rockets 76-68 after overtime in the Domino’s Women’s Division One Playoff Final at the National Basketball Arena.

The Limerick side needed an Amy Buckley basket with 1.7 seconds to go to force overtime and then dominated the additional period to secure top flight status for the first time. It comes just a year after the men’s team sealed promotion to the Domino’s Men’s Super League for the first time.

MVP Sidney Richards scored 10 of her 30 points in the overtime to drive her to team to victory. What made it more impressive is that the American had to play the last six minutes and overtime on four fouls, but crucially stayed on court to make the difference.

There was little between the sides in the opening quarter, Limerick Celtics Amy Buckley’s three in the dying seconds edged Limerick Celtics 15-13 up by the end of the first.

The second quarter went Cleveland Rockets way, an Alyssa Jimenez three pointer three minutes in saw them 19-15 up. A Meabh Purtil basket for Limerick Celtics made it a one-point game, as they trailed 24-23.

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Cleveland Rockets then went on a 10-point run to take command of proceedings, with Caitlin Gloeckner and Aoibheann Donnelly helping themselves to five apiece to put them 34-23 up, Donnelly’s fastbreak and layup competing the scoring sequence. Limerick Celtics got a much-needed Laura Buckley three to finish the quarter, as they trailed 34-26 at half-time

Cleveland Rockets extended their advantage and made it a 14-point game, thanks to scores from Georgie McGrath, Gloeckner and a driving layup from Jimenez to lead 40-26 three minutes in.

A turnaround jump shot from Richards finally got Celtics off the mark and it got them going. By the time the American picked out Amy Buckley in paint just after the midpoint of the quarter they trailed 42-36.

A Richards three and a turnaround jump shot from Amy Buckley and it was a point game, 42-41, with three minutes to go. The turnaround was complete following a pair of Richards free throws, Meabh Purtill’s basket and an Amy Buckley free throw, to give them a 46-42 lead at the end of the third.

It was back level at 46-46 after Jimenez managed to beat the shotclock buzzer two minutes into the fourth quarter. A Jimenez layup had Cleveland Rockets 52-48 up with five and a half minutes to go, but they lost Georgie McGrath not after that after she picked up her fifth foul.

Back to-back threes from Gloeckner and Jimenez for Rockets was answered by one by Sabhbh Edwards Murphy, to see Celtics trail 58-55 with two minutes to go. Rockets then lost Jimenez who fouled out, Edwards Murphy converted up one of her two free throws.

Richards tied the game at 58-58. The final minute saw plenty of drama, Glockner put Rockets ahead once more, before Amy Buckley sent it to overtime thanks her last ditch basket with just 1.7 seconds left.

The sides exchanged early scores in overtime, before Amy Buckley downed a big three a minute and a half in to make it 65-62. Cleveland Rockets responded with a pair of Gloeckner free throws.

A Richards steal, layup and additional free throw put Celtics 68-64 up. The American, slotted a tough finish to make it a six point game 70-64. A Donnelly layup reduced the deficit.

A putback by Katie Richards to restored a six point cushion for Celtics, 72-66, with 1’20 to go. Rockets came back once more with an Emilie Rogers-Duffy basket in the final minute, but MVP Richards slotted four free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Limerick Celtics head coach Jordan Hehir said: "It definitely wasn’t an easy one, going down 14 points and losing Aoife (Morrissey, to injury) was huge and I just think the girls just found a new gear that I don’t think we’ve actually seen this season, in terms of energy and heart, that brought it back.

"For them to finish out in regulation and then in overtime, I mean it was fantastic. Everything you asked of them, every time they needed a big play they made a big play and that’s everyone, one through to 12 and it didn’t matter who."

On securing promotion Hehir added: "It is massive, I think coming short last year, to do it one year was great. Of course I was sad (to miss out last year), but I can seeing how well the men have done in this year and how much youth and heart we have in this women’s team, very excited. I am very excited to go up and have the challenge of Super League for hopefully a number of years."

Cleveland Rockets:

Maeve Deery (2), Aoibheann Donnelly (16), Eimile Rogers-Duffy (2), Lucy Sherlock (DNP), Joanna Ryan (DNP), Caitlin Gloeckner (22), Alyssa Jimenez (14), Georgie McGrath (7), Niamh O’Leary (0), Emma Gilgunn (DNP), Ruth Gallagher (DNP), Charley McGrath (5)

Head Coach: Breda Dick

Limerick Celtics:

Laura Buckley (6), Meabh Purtill (6), Madelyn Hartigan (0), Amy Buckley (18), Sidney Richards (30), Sabhbh Edwards Murphy (13), Aoife Morrissey (1), Jade You (DNP), Emer Purtill (0), Katie Richards (2), Aisling Jordan (0), Anna Nealon (0)

Head Coach: Jordan Hehir