Brunell U18 fightback comes so close but Limerick Celtics hang on to collect cup

Limerick Celtics 51 

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell 49 

Limerick Celtics edged out Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell in a competitive Women’s U18 National Cup final at the National Basketball Arena on Saturday.

In a game where both teams struggled on the scoring front a 23-point contribution from Celtics Laura Buckley proved the difference between two committed sides.

Brunell started playing a zone defence as the height advantage of their opponents possibly influenced this decision.

The opening exchanges were cagey, but Laura Buckley helped the shannonsoders into a six point lead courtesy of basket and bonus coupled with a huge shot outside the paint.

Brunell responded with three free throws but a stunning McKenzie Lucey three pointer tied the game in the fourth minute.

There was many easy tips missed on both sides but Celtics edged a one point lead midway through the quarter.

The number of easy shots missed increased and it was no surprise the sides were tied at nine points each entering the second quarter.

On the restart consecutive baskets from the Celtics Micha Gonzalez got the Limerick side up and running with Brunell coach Kieran O’Leary immediately calling a time out.

The standard of shooting and passing was well the below the standard required at this level but with three minutes remaining a brace of free throws from Emer Putrill edged the Celtics into a 19-17 lead.

Brunell looked a side hoping for something to happen with various players attempting silly shots but they were still very much in the game despite their low scoring average.

Amazingly after 20 minutes of basketball Celtics went in at the break commanding a four- point lead 23-19.

Looking at the half time stats Brunell were bound to be disappointed with their 4/18 inside the paint (22%) and probably more annoyed with their 2/21 (10%) outside the arc.

On the restart both sides increase the tempo but an injury to the Brunell captain Abbie Lyons didn’t help their cause as they trailed 28-22 in the 23rd minute.

It got worse for Brunell a minute later when a Meabh Purtill basket extended it to eight points before a time out was called to steady the ship.

Brunell were now struggling big time at the post and with Madelyn Hartigan hurting them at the post they looked a side in need of oxygen.

In the closing minutes Brunell did give their all but when Laura Buckley drained a long range three pointer it gave them a 12-point lead.

Luckily Brunell finished with a similar shot courtesy of Lyons but they still trailed by nine points entering the final quarter.

Coming down the stretch Brunell pressed and Ava O’Mahony nailed a three pointer in the 34th minute the deficit reduced to four points 43-39.

That’s as good as it got for the Nellies and despite getting it back to two points Celtics just about got over the line.

Scorers for Limerick Celtics: L Buckley 23, E Putrill 15, M Hartigan 6.

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell: A Lyons 17, F Kyamageco 17, M Lucey 7.

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell: J Aherne, S O’Keeffe, A Lyons, M Gonzales, M Murphy, F Kyamageco, M Lucey, S Sheehan, A O’Mahony, A Power, S O’Driscoll, S Lyons.

Limerick Celtics: C Sweeney, L Gocek, E Sommers, A Nealon, E Hayes, L Buckley, R Walsh, H Meagher, M Hartigan, E Purtill, M Hehir, M Purtill.

Referees: J Lavin (Dublin), H Lapin (Dublin), P Gisbert (Dublin).