Niamh Dwyer rolls back the years and helps Fr Mathew's to NICC National Cup final glory

Fr Mathew’s 59 

Liffey Celtics 52 

This NICC National Cup final win for Fr Mathew’s on Saturday morning over Liffey Celtics was one for the ages.

This was an historic occasion at the National Basketball Arena.

This was a great win for the club. Their best ever. This was a great win for coach Ger Gibbins, who has given a lifetime of service to the club.

This was a great win for all the families who have been involved with this club for years. 

This was the boost they all needed.

This was a great day for all the players who refused to give up, kept fighting, and who eventually produced one of the best 13 minutes of basketball I have ever seen.

With three minutes left in the third quarter, they trailed 25-40, were out of sorts and this game looked over as a contest, but a 12-point scoring spurt led by the game’s MVP Niamh Dwyer saw the Cork side head into the fourth quarter only trailing by 3, 37-40 and it was game on.

She continued her dominance in the fourth and ended the game with 21 points as Mathew’s went on to win by seven with some excellent performances from captain Heather Lynch, Niamh Braham, Amy Corkery and Amy Fitzgerald.

Dwyer rolled back the years when it mattered most. She has been there and done it all, but to still be able to influence cup finals like this at 43 and in front of her family, children and friends meant so much to her.

And it was a joy to behold.

Fr Mathew’s trailed by seven at the end of the first quarter, 9-16 and it was the three point shooting of Liffey Celtics that was hurting them most.

They hit three from four attempts in the opening 10 minutes with Ciara Bracken impressive with eight points.

Mathew’s, on the other end, were struggling and finding it very hard to get easy baskets with their go to player Amy Corkery struggling from the floor with her shooting.

Fr Mathew’s were a much better side in the second quarter. They started to find their range on offence and upped their defensive intensity which forced Liffey Celtics out of their offensive rhythm for a spell.

With Niamh Braham starting to hit baskets, Mathew’s were right in this game, trailing 13-19. Niamh Dywer was re-introduced, and one felt her experience would help Mathew’s stay calm on offence and concentrated on defense.

But, Mathew’s continued to miss shots, some layups and that gave Liffey Celtics back the momentum and they finished the half the stronger to lead at the break by 11, 21-32.

Mathew’s shot 37% from two-point land in the half, Celtics were worse, they only shot 23% but the difference was their three-point shooting.

They hit six from 10, 60% and therein lied the story of the half. Every time Mathew’s made a run, Celtic’s replied with a three.

If the Cork side could stop this outside threat in the second half, there was a way back into this final for them.

It was going to be all about their defensive effort. And it was for the opening few minutes of the third, but some harsh calls from the officials and good play by Celtics to find a way to score with the shot clock against them, broke Mathew’s spirit and stopped their momentum.

Despite plenty of effort on both ends of the floor, Celtics never lost control and continued to find baskets as they led 25-40 with just three to play.

But, with hope fading, 15 points behind, suddenly Mathew’s burst into life. Inspired by the noise of their fans, their full court pressure and five quickfire points from Niamh Dwyer, Mathew’s were flying and Celtics were rattled.

12 points in the final three minutes saw the Cork side trail by three, 37-40 and it was now game on heading into the final quarter.

Mathew’s continued to force the pace and soon took their first lead of the game 42-40 when Niamh Dwyer scored a layup with eight minutes to go.

This game had turned on its head.

Celtics were now struggling and shots that were falling in the first half were now missing.

Mathew’s soon led 51-47 and were ahead 54-49 with under two to play thanks to a huge Dwyer three pointer which sealed the win.

Niamh Dywer was rolling back the years.

While Dwyer was the star, she received excellent support in the vital fourth quarter from Amy Corkery, Meabh Humphreys and Mila Pichet who all stood tall when it mattered most.

Top Scorers for Fr Mathew’s: N Dwyer 21, A Corkery 11, M Humphreys 7 Liffey Celtics: C Bracken 14, M O’Sullivan 12, K Mealy 9.

Fr Mathew’s: H Lynch, N Bowdren, N Braham, A Braham, M Pichet, A Corkery, A O’regan, M Humphreys, N Dwyer, A Fitzgerald, K Kilbride, C Ferris.

Liffey Celtics: R Keating, C Bracken, C Masterson, K McGonagle, K O’Shea, C Mulleady, A Tiernan, R Mulleady, J Smalec, K Mealy, M O’Sullivan, B Olaru.

Referees: A Wickham, H Byrne, L Aherne.