Echo Women in Sport: Niamh Dwyer delivered another MVP performance on the biggest stage

An inspirational MVP performance by Fr Mathew's Niamh Dwyer in the NICC Women’s National Cup final win against Liffey Celtics saw her win the Echo Women In Sport award for January.

Dwyer is a household name in basketball circles. She is one of the Irish game's best players ever. She has been there and won that both as a player and as a coach.

Here, the former Glanmire and Irish senior international player reflected on her current season at the tender age of 43.

“Initially, I was coaching and playing in the premier grade in Cork, and I was asked by coach Ger Gibbons to play in the NICC National Cup and I decided to give it a go,” said Dwyer.

The trips on the road to the final were demanding.

“Our first-round game was in Monaghan and then we were in Kerry before we then took on Glanmire in the quarter-final and then it was Killester in the semi-final at the MTU,” added Niamh.

After going through unbeaten on the road, the final against the hot favourites and holders Liffey Celtics was an occasion she relished, having experienced many finals at basketball headquarters.

I was so proud in how our team played on the day and although it was in the NICC championship it still felt really good with the atmosphere that was created by both sets of fans.” 

Having your children at the National Basketball Arena witnessing you win a cup medal and being awarded MVP was something dreams are made of.

“When I walked into the arena that morning of the final a special feeling came over me as I thought about the ACL injury, I picked up a few years ago could have finished my career.

“I had come out of retirement two years ago and played in the Paudie O’Connor Cup final loss to Brunell and on the day it was a great battle with Brunell just playing better than us.” 

The NICC Final looked bad for Fr Mathew’s in the third quarter as they trailed by 15 points, but Dwyer had other ideas.

“I said to myself on court 'I've got to lead the way'. And when I got a lay-up at the post and then a steal, it seemed to lift the team and the rest is history.

“Looking back, I thought our press put them out of their comfort zone and we got the breaks with steals and baskets that eventually got us over the line.” 

In typical Dwyer fashion, she paid tribute to her teammates who helped win this intriguing final.

It was a team performance because all the players on court rowed in and when they got belief, we looked a far better outfit.

“Looking back on that famous third quarter, we were doing a lot of things right but, once we got a few breaks, we lifted and Liffey’s heads began to drop." 

National Cup basketball is a different animal to the regular league.

“I have been at both sides of the fence and thankfully this time I happened to be on the right one and to have my family in the arena was very special.” 

TOUGH MATCH-UP

This season has been a disappointing one for Fr Mathew’s as they have been relegated from the Women’s Super League despite the best efforts of Niamh's sister Gráinne.

“When you look at the money that Super League teams need... the bottom line is that the majority of the teams have at least three pros on their books and that’s just to survive.

“We need to restructure big time and that will be a big challenge for us in the coming years.

“When I look back at the team that I played with at Glanmire it was simply an awesome unit with tremendous professionals, but it was the quality in our Irish players that made us a formidable unit.” 

What is the best professional that Niamh played with over her distinguished career?

“I would have to say Jennifer Strong was incredible in all aspects of her game, but throw in Michelle Fahy, Marie Breen, Claire O’Sullivan, Aine McKenna and my sister, Grainne, they are all class international players.

“Before them, you had Denise Walshe and Nollaig Cleary and you really see that talent that Glanmire had in those heydays.” 

Another topic for Dwyer was the financial pressure that seems to be spiraling out of control in the Men’s Super League.

“The money that’s been invested is frightening and that’s only to stay afloat and I am just hoping the bubble doesn’t burst.” 

DEMANDING

The standard of coaching in both the Men’s and Women’s Super-League’s has come in for scrutiny in recent times, but Niamh believes it’s not an easy solution to find.

“I am not going to criticise any coach because, being one myself, I know the pressures at Super League level and with the number of clubs growing the pool of coaches has remained static." 

Life for Niamh Dwyer is good and with her children Rhys and Eden, she is now on a different path.

“My priority now is hoping my kids get the same joy and experiences that I got out of my life and that we all remain healthy to continue doing the things we love.”