Final Score: Trinity Meteors 87–81 UCC Glanmire
Half-time: Trinity Meteors 39–35 UCC Glanmire
Top scorers Meteors: A. Learn 23, K. Horstmeyer 23, H. Finn 13
Top scorers Glanmire: J. Watkins 29, V. Cumber 22, C. O’Sullivan 12
Finals MVP: Ava Learn
In a highly anticipated matchup, Trinity Meteors faced UCC Glanmire in the Domino’s Women’s Super League Final. With both regular season games decided by four points or fewer, this contest was expected to go down to the wire.
It was the Cork side who got on the board first, with a 3-pointer from their star forward Jewel Watkins. Séamas Donnelly’s side responded with successive baskets from Kylie Horstmeyer. Trinity Meteors played at a high tempo throughout, pushing the ball quickly in transition and taking advantage of Glanmire’s slow defensive recovery. Two courageous drives to the basket from Aisling Moran put Meteors ahead by seven, as Mark Scannell was forced into an early timeout. The timeout proved effective for UCC, as they emerged with renewed intensity, going on a quick 5-0 to cut the deficit to two. Helena Keane provided a bright spark off the bench for Trinity, as the young guard showed no fear on the biggest stage, knocking down a huge 3-pointer just moments after entering. After a fiery first quarter, Trinity led by two.
A beautifully timed back-door cut from Franciska Treiliha opened the scoring for Meteors in the second period. Hazel Finn and Ava Learn then both got on the scoresheet, with Learn converting from inside the paint while Finn used her pace to slice through UCC’s defence and finish at the rim. UCC’s first-half scoring was reliant on their American duo of Watkins and Cumber, who combined for 31 out of Glanmire’s 35 points. The pair showcased excellent long-range shooting and leadership, proving difficult for Trinity to contain despite their best defensive efforts. However, captain Catherine Connaire provided a huge defensive moment with an emphatic block, much to the delight of the Meteors crowd. A composed jumper from Ciara Mulligan sent Meteors into the break with a four-point lead.
The start of the third quarter belonged to Ava Learn, as the Trinity Sport Scholar poured in nine points to help extend Trinity’s lead. However, a costly third foul forced Learn into an early substitution. Despite Meteors’ strong start, Glanmire remained within touching distance through excellent offensive execution, with McKenna, O’Sullivan and Murphy all contributing for UCC. Just as Glanmire grabbed their first lead of the game, Trinity responded immediately with a 6-0 run. First, a brilliant bullet from Learn set up Mulligan inside the paint, where she used a clever fake to get her defender off balance before finishing calmly at the rim. Then, Finn came up with a steal and raced down the court for a fast-break layup at the buzzer. Heading into the deciding quarter, Meteors led by five points.
Jewel Watkins brought her tally to 27 as she began the fourth quarter with a cold transition three. Keane responded with a baseline pull-up of her own. Then Seamas Donnelly’s side really turned on the engine, as consecutive steals pushed Trinity out on the fast break, resulting in easy baskets for Treiliha and Keane, both perfectly set up by Finn, as Meteors stretched the lead to double digits. However, UCC would not go down without a fight. Mark Scannell’s side switched to a zone defence, which caused problems for Meteors. Subsequently, key baskets from veteran Claire O’Sullivan cut the deficit to five. Kylie Horstmeyer provided a much-needed response, knocking down a deep two to quieten the Cork crowd. What followed was a thrilling back-and-forth finish, with both teams trading scores. A banked three from UCC was answered by a deep 3-pointer from Learn, as both sides left everything on the floor. In the crucial defensive moments, Meteors came up with big stops on Cumber and Watkins, with outstanding help defence across the team. A Horstmeyer fast break pushed Trinity ahead by four, before Finn delivered the final blow with two clutch free throws, as Trinity Meteors were crowned Champions.
Trinity Meteors’ victory marks their first Super League title since the 1990s, and their first since the merger with Trinity. It caps off an incredible year, which saw Meteors also reach the National Cup semi-final, with important contributions from Kenny, Lynch and Gilligan throughout the campaign. Ava Learn was named the Finals MVP for her incredible efforts on both ends of the floor. In the week of Meteors Basketball club’s 60th anniversary, the win carried added significance, as the team honoured club legend Eamonn Prenter, who sadly passed away during the week. The crowd was electric as captain Catherine Connaire lifted the trophy to mark a historic occasion.
Quarter Scores:
Q1: 15-17 Q2: 20-22
Q3: 19-20 Q4: 27-28
Game Scores:
Q1: 15-17 Q2: 35-39
Q3: 54-59 Q4: 81-87
Trinity Meteors: #3 Hazel Finn, #6 Catherine Connaire (C), #8 Helena Keane, #10 Martina Destro, #11 Ciara Mulligan, #12 Aisling Moran, #13 Franciska Treiliha, #14 Ava Learn, #16 Kylie Horstmeyer, #32 Riodhna McGrath
Head Coach: Séamas Donnelly
Assistant Coaches: Anthony Dodson, Murray Baker
Other Team Members: Sarah Kenny, Caoimhe Gilligan, Kira Lynch
Team Manager: Mandy Clarke
UCC Glanmire: #4 Aine McKenna (C), #6 Jessica O’Shea, #7 Claire O’Sullivan, #8 Annaliese Murphy, #9 Mia Furlong, #10 Jewel Watkins, #13 Miriam Loughrey, #14 Lucy Walsh, #15 Emer Dunne, #20 Faye McDonnell, #33 Viane Cumber Head Coach: Mark Scannell
