Fr Mathew's play superbly and beat Killester to reach the NICC Women’s National Cup final

Fr Mathew’s 75 

Killester 51

Fr Mathew’s played their beat basketball of the season to beat Dublin side Killester in the NICC Women’s National Cup basketball semi final at the GUC Parochial Arena on Saturday afternoon. 

Now they will go on to play Liffey Celtic’s in the final in Dublin in two weeks time with their confidence at an all time high.

The opening half was a very close affair with Niamh Dywer, Alannah Braham and Amy Corkery all having hot hands for Mathew’s, however, Aisling Sullivan was also in hot form the three point line for Killester, and Robyn Malone was Mathew’s problems inside the paint, however, they only trailed by two points at the half.

To be honest, Mathew’s put on a defensive clinic in the third period and blew away Killester with their pressure defence and slick shooting beyond the arc and now can look forward to the final.

Killester raced into a 6-0 lead with a huge effort beyond the arc by Eleanor Fitzsimmons and a bucket inside the paint by Ciara Curran after two and a half minutes of play. 

Fr Mathew’s responded with baskets from Alannah Braham and Amy Corkery to trail the game 8-6, however, an offensive rebound and a put back by Amanda O’Regan had the game level 8-8 minutes midway through the quarter. 

The introduction of Niamh Dywer made a huge difference on both sides of the floor for Mathew’s and led 18-10 at the end of the opening period.

Both sides exchanged foul shots early in the second period before Aisling Sullivan nailed a monstrous three for Killester to reduce the deficit 19-17, however, two similar efforts by Dywer had Mathew’s leading 25-17, four minutes into the quarter. 

Killester levelled the game 28-28 with a big effort beyond the arc by Sullivan and took the lead 31-28 with a bucket and a bonus by Robyn Malone. 

However, a powerful drive to the hoop and an effort beyond the arc by Corkery gave Fr Mathew’s a 35-33 lead at the half.

Sullivan gave Killester a 36-35 lead with another effort beyond the arc, however, Dywer hit a similar effort and breakaway layups by the Braham sisters Alannah and Niamh gave Mathew’s a 44-36 lead four minutes from the restart. 

The Cork side increased their lead 50-38 with a pair of baseline jumpers by O’Regan and when Dywer nailed a step back three they pushed out their lead to 53-38 midway through the quarter. 

The Fr Mathew’s pressure defence all over the floor certainly had a big effect on the Dublin side as they forced them into multiple turnovers and led 63-42 at the end of the third period.

With the game over as a contest Fr Mathew’s were able to rotate their whole squad and they made up for the disappointment of exiting the competition last year with a very polished performance. 

They have a superb blend of experience with Dywer, O’Regan and Heather Lynch and young energetic players like the Braham twins Alannah and Niamh and Amy Corkery, which will make them very difficult to beat at the National Arena in two weeks time.

Top scorers for Mathew’s: Niamh Dwyer 21, Amy Corkery 17, Alannah Braham 12.

Killester: Aisling Sullivan16, Ciara Curran 9, Robyn Malone 7.

FR MATHEW’S: Natasha Bowdren, Niamh Braham, Alannah Braham, Mila Pichet, Amy Corkery, Amy Fitzgerald, Heather Lynch, Niamh Dywer, Meabhdh Humpherys, Chloe Ferris, Amanda O'Regan.

KILLESTER: Eleanor Fitzsimons, Robyn Malone, Ali Maguire, Sinead Boyle, Gemma Kirwan, Ciara Curran, Stacy Walsh, Aisling Sullivan, Lisa Weatherstone, Leah Rutherford.

Referees: Brendan Markey ( Dublin), Kevin Robinson ( Dublin), Paula Gilbert (Limerick).