Limerick Celtics secure place in the Women's Division 1 National Cup final

LIMERICK Celtics have booked their place in the InsureMyVan.ie Women's Division 1 National Cup final after an impressive 68-47  win against Oblate Dynamos in the Parochial Hall in Cork this Saturday. 

Celtics were the dominant side in the second-half and kept the pressure on their Dublin opponents to secure the victory. 

Oblate Dynamos got off to a quicker start with Limerick Celtics missing a number of shots in a row in the opening minutes of the game. Celtics eventually got on the on the board with a lay-up from Mikayla Brandon. 

The teams were neck and neck in the first quarter with Alaire Mayze for Oblate Dynamos and Samantha Coleman for Celtics both sinking three pointers. 

Celtics remained a basket ahead on 16-14 at the end of the first quarter. 

The game stayed in the balance throughout the second quarter with both teams exchanging basket for basket. Dynamos Ciara White her put her side in the lead with a fantastic three pointer under pressure followed her team mate Sophie Stauton with a similar score. 

Limerick Celtics were kept in the game with fantastic post moves from Mikayla Brandon and Sabhbh Edwards Murphy, before Oblate Dynamos fell to five team fouls opening the door for a Celtics comeback. 

Dynamos kept the pressure on in the closing minutes of the half to command a 34-26 lead at the break. 

The Limerick side came out determined in the third quarter with Lucy Devoy finding her range and putting her team right back in the game scoring nine unanswered points. 

Like many periods in the game the lead changed once again with Limerick Celtics ahead of Dynamos at the end of the third quarter on 42-37 points. 

The Dublin side struggled with fouls in the final quarter leaving Celtics on the free-throw line on multiple occasions, keeping them in the lead. Alarie Mayze kept Dynamos in the game with interception lay-ups to keep the score board ticking over. 

Incredible defence and shots from Limerick Celtics maintained their lead in the fourth quarter to secure the victory on a scoreline of 68-47 and sends them straight to the Women's division one national cup final in two weeks time. 

Top Scorers for Limerick Celtics: Mikayla Brandon (22 points), Lucy Devoy (18 points), Sabhbh Edwards Murphy (15 points).

Top Scorers for Oblate Dynamos: Alarie Mayze (17 points), Bertan Rodriguez Carrera (5 points), Sophie Staunton (5 points). 

LIMERICK CELTICS: Mikayla Brandon, Sabhbh Edwards Murphy, Lucy Devoy, Samantha Coleman, Anna Parra Sanchez, Aoife Morrisey, Sorcha Cronin. 

OBLATE DYNAMOS: Jennifer Sheehan, Ellie Thorton, Lauran Molone, Ciara White, Samantha Massey, Sophie Staunton, Tara O'Doherty, Alarie Mayze, Heather Meagher, Claire Quinn Nealon, Bertan Rodriguez Carrera, Lauren Malone, Shannon Whelan,