Brunell and Ireland star Edel Thornton to miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury

THE Paudie O’Connor Women’s National Cup champions Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell were dealt a severe blow today when it was announced their captain Edel Thornton will miss the rest of the season.

Thornton, who is also captain of the Irish Senior Women’s team tore her ACL on last Sunday’s Super League win over Portlaoise Panthers.

Having returned following a broken nose injury Thornton was playing superb basketball and picked up the MVP award in their cup success against Fr Mathew’s.

A spokesperson for the club said the player was traumatised when she received the prognosis from her consultant.

“Edel is very passionate about the sport as she just loves playing for club and country and naturally news of this nature is bound to affect her.

“On the positive side she will get the best of care in her recuperation as she bids to get back playing for the start of the 2025/2025 season.” 

The northside club won their first piece of silverware when winning the cup and are presently at the summit of the Women’s Super League, hoping to win the Super League for the first time and complete the double.

They currently lead the table by six points, they are on 36, with Liffey Celtics, Killester an Wildcats hot on their tails on 30 points each.

This weekend Brunell make the long trip north to play Ulster University as the squad will have to prepare for life without the incredible skills of their captain.

After that, they have six games left to play without Edel including games against Killester, at home, Liffey Celtics away and Wildcats away, three sides who they are fighting for the title and local derbies against Glanmire and Fr Mathew's.

A tough run in has just got a lot harder.