Limerick Celtics target Cup glory in Women's division one final

In the InsureMyHouse.ie Women’s Division one National Cup Limerick Celtics will be hoping to stop Abbey Seal Dublin Lions from winning back-to-back cup titles when they face off in the National Basketball Arena at 12:15pm.

Celtics overcame Oblate Dynamos in their semi-final in Cork on a scoreline of 68-47 to book their spot in their first ever senior national cup final.

Speaking about reaching the final, head coach Tony Hehir said: “It’s huge for the whole club, but especially for the older girls on the team like Sabhbh Edwards Murphy and Aoife Morrisey, who have put a huge amount of work into their game and have been great role models throughout their careers in the club.

“We also have some incredible U20 players like Lucy Devoy and Amy Buckley who have made a major impact on our run in the cup. We are lucky enough in the club to have some fantastic players coming up through the ranks and it’s great they can see our senior women’s team on a national stage.”

Celtics will face tough opposition in current title holders Abbey Seal Dublin Lions, who narrowly beat McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles in their semi-final.

Tony spoke about his team's opposition saying “We just try and worry about what we can do in games and how we can be effective in defence and offence. They are obviously a great team but our focus is on ourselves and if we do that we are in the mix to win the game.”

Sabhbh Edwards Murphy has grown up playing for Limerick Celtics and knows all too well how difficult it is to get to cup finals.
The now captain of the women's side said: “I have never been in an adult national cup final so we are really aiming to make the most of the opportunity.

“There is a huge difference in our team from last season to now. If you look back at the semi-final we got off to a slow start but were able to turn it around quickly. When things aren't going our way now we are able to bounce back.

“This year we have sucha small squad and honestly I think it has brought us much closer. We know now that we can turn to each other in these tough moments in games and help each other out.”

Celtics’ opposition in the final Abbey Seal Dublin Lions had a tougher semi and also have one of the leagues top players, so Saturday's game is set to be a thriller.