Warriors into Cup final

Garvey's Tralee Warriors are into the Men’s National Cup final.

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Domino's Men's Super League National Cup Semi Final, Neptune Stadium, Cork 3/1/2026
UCD Marian vs Garveys Tralee Warriors
Garvey's Tralee Warriors' Keelan Crowe celebrates winning
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher

REPRO FREE ***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Domino's Men's Super League National Cup Semi Final, Neptune Stadium, Cork 3/1/2026
UCD Marian vs Garveys Tralee Warriors
The UCD Marian team photo
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors defeat UCD Marian 86-74 to seal Domino’s MSL National Cup final spot

That final will be at 8 on Saturday January 17th at the National Arena.

Alan Cantwell reports

Warriors coach John Dowling audio mp3="https://img.radiokerry.ie/prod/uploads/Cup-Semi-JD-RAW.mp3"][/audio]

Match report:

For the second time in their short history Garvey's Tralee Warriors are through to a Super League National Cup final after seeing off the challenge of UCD Marian by 86-74 in the semi-final played at Neptune Stadium last night. Marian were without the services of two of their pros in Tanner Graham and Mihael Linde but the Warriors went about their task in business-like fashion to secure a place in the Cup final for the first time since 2022. The win sets up a mouth-watering decider against keen rivals Ballincollig in the season’s showpiece event at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on Saturday 17th January.

Both sides started the contest well with the Warriors shading the early exchanges with Daniel Jokubaitis firing in the first two scores and when Jordan Perkins and Cian Sullivan opened their respective accounts the Tralee side led 9-4 with UCD Marian’s response coming from Zach Hinton and new signing Bruce Saintilus. Saintilus was in range again from inside and outside either side of a Sean Fitzpatrick basket to edge the Dublin college side ahead but Iggy Hunte drove up the lane to give Warriors a one point lead midway through the quarter. James Connaire and Hinton struck from distance for Marian but at the other end Perkins and Jokubaitis replied in kind before an 'and one' from Cian Sullivan put four between the teams with 2’00’’ on the clock. Perkins knocked down his second major of the night before team captain Eoin Quigley added to give Warriors a 28-23 lead at quarter time.

Olaf Michalczuk heralded his arrival on the court early in the second with a quickfire double but Saintilus was again on the mark for Marian a minute later to leave six between the midway through. Saintilus from beyond the arc and a double from Hinton kept Marian in touch but at the other end the Warriors were finding the UCD basket with some ease and Perkins, Michalczuk and Steven Bowler with an and one combined to give Warriors a ten point lead at 44-34 up with a minute on the clock. However a Zach Hinton effort with the last score of the half pared the lead back to 44-36 as the halftime buzzer sounded.

The third quarter saw Warriors continue to pick off scores with Jokubaitis adding early from either side of the three point line and with Perkins, Dan Bowler and Quigley all on the mark their lead remained intact. However, Marian’s offence moved up a gear with Hinton and Jack Kehoe finding the time and space to knock down two three pointers each and with Saintilus again finishing under the board the sides were suddenly all square with 1’30’’ left on the clock. Team captain Eoin Quigley stepped up to the mark to land the final score from play with a cracking major effort to help Warriors to a 60-55 lead turning down the stretch.

The outcome of the contest remained very much in the balance early in the final quarter as Steven Bowler and Quigley added before a sensational finish from Perkins kept Warriors in front. However Saintilus and Hinton continued to dominate the UCD scoring and combined for eight points from play and the free throw line to maintain the Marian challenge. But in what were the decisive moments of the game Daniel Jokuabitis lit the arena up with a devastating volley of scores that added 10 to the Warriors tally. Sean Fitzpatrick struck back with a major score for Marian before Iggy Hunte slammed in a dunk to push the Warriors lead out to 79-66. The Warriors rearguard stood tall late on and crucially denied the Dublin outfit a score for a full two minutes before Hinton and Sean O’Flynn chipped in consolation scores as the clock ticked down. Jordan Perkins calmly swished two free throws in the final seconds to seal the deal and book the Warriors ticket to Tallaght in two weeks time.

Quarter Scores:
Q1: 23-28, Q2: 13-16, Q3: 19-16, Q4: 19-26

Game Scores:
Q1: 23-28, Q2: 36-44, Q3: 55-60, Q4: 74-86

UCD Marian:
Jack Keogh (3), Sean O’Flynn (2), Daniel Conway (0), Tom Maguire (0), Javier Comesana (DNP), James Connaire (5), Ronan Byrne (0), Sean Fitzpatrick (7), Sotiris Miltiadis (0), Zachary Hinton (27), Bruce Saintilus (30), Cian Teirnan (0).

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors:
Irshaad Hunte (10), Jordan Perkins (18), Olaf Michalczuk (6), James Friel (DNP), James Fernane (0), Daniel Bowler (4), Keelan Crowe (0), Padraig Fleming (0), Daniel Jocubaitis (27), Steven Bowler (6), Cian Sullivan (5), Eoin Quigley (10).

Today:

Women’s U20 National Cup semi-final
Tralee Magic v Templeogue
11 at Parochial Hall

Killester set up a repeat of last year’s Domino’s WSL National Cup final, thanks to a 77-65 win over UCC Glanmire at Neptune Stadium. They will face defending champions Liffey Celtics, who defeated Trinity Meteors 69-57 in their semi-final earlier on Saturday.

Killester, who are seeking their fifth Cup title and first since 2022/23, got off to a fast start and were up by five, 12-7, midway through the opening quarter after two Hannah Thornton free throws. UCC Glanmire responded with an 11 point run to open up a six point lead, 18-12, with two minutes to go in the quarter, following Jewel Watkins’ three. The American, who’d finish the game with 32 points, converted her two free throws in the final seconds too, to leave the Cork side 22-18 up.

Watkins converted an early free throw in the second quarter, but a six point run by Killester followed, completed by Ieva Bagdanviciene, which saw the Dublin club nudge themselves back in front, 24-23. UCC Glanmire’s response was emphatic with a lovely long-range three by Viane Cumber, which prompted a loud cheer from their supporters.

A turnaround jumpshot by Amy Dooley left it all square at 28-28 with four minutes to go. Meanwhile Samantha Haiby was starting to make an impact on the game, her three and a pair of free throws brought her quarter tally to eight points and put Killester 33-28 up with three minutes on the clock. A steal and layup from captain Michelle Clarke saw Killester 35-31 ahead with a minute and a half to go, before a corner two by Aine McKenna cut the deficit. Killester would hold a four point lead by half-time, 37-33.

Kiilester stretched their advantage to eight midway through the third quarter, following a three by Bagdanviciene, 45-37. Five points from Watkins followed to put UCC Glanmire within three. With the two minutes to go the gap was the same, Emer Dunne’s layup saw UCC Glanmire trail 49-46. A Thornton jump shot in the closing seconds had Killester 52-48 to the good.

Clarke set the tempo in the fourth quarter, she unloaded a long three to start, then picked out cousin Leilani Turner for a layup and grabbed a layup herself, Killester now had a eleven point cushion, 59-48 two minutes in. UCC Glanmire kept themselves in the hunt thanks to a Cumber three.

A five point run from Haiby, a layup and a three put Killester 65-53 ahead just before the midpoint of the quarter. Killester didn’t let up, a layup from Clarke and a step back jump shot by Haiby had Mark Grennell’s side 73-55 up with three minutes remaining and that gap was never going to be clawed back by UCC Glanmire.

Killester captain Michelle Clarke said: “It means a lot, we have a bit of a bitter taste in our mouth from last year’s (Cup final) performance, it’s definitely one we’re looking to rectify this year. We’re taking it one game at a time, so delighted to get that sort of performance under us against Glanmire at what is kind of their home court (Neptune Stadium), so really looking forward to getting back here next week (against UCC Glanmire in the Domino’s Women’s Super League) and then seeing Liffey in the final the following week. It is a big game and we’re going to be treating it like one more, but there is definitely some fire in our belly that’s ready to come out.”

Clarke, who finished with a team-high 20 points, added: “It’s a bit of a relief, I have been dying with the flu all week, I don’t particularly play well in a semi-final because it is the same thing – I get sick right before. I am glad I could help the team and do my bit and get across the line.”

Quarter Scores:
Q1: 22-18, Q2: 11-19, Q3: 15-15, Q4: 17-25

Game Scores:
Q1: 22-18, Q2: 33-37, Q3: 48-52, Q4: 65-77

UCC Glanmire:
Aine McKenna (2), Claire O’Sullivan (6), Annaliese Murphy (0), Mia Furlong (2), Jewel Watkins (32), Miriam Loughrey (DNP), Lucy Walsh (0) Emer Dunne (8), Faye McDonnell (0), Amy Dooley (2), Viane Cumber (13).

Killester:
Amy Elliot (0), Michelle Clarke (20), Samantha Haiby (19), Leilani Turner (4), Sarah Courtney (0), Sarah Power (DNP), Audrey Roden (7), Ali Connolly (DNP), Laura McFarland (0), Ieva Bagdanaviciene (16), Hannah Thornton (6), Maeve O’Seaghdha (5)

Defending champions FloMAX Liffey Celtics are into the Domino’s WSL National Cup final, following a 69-57 semi-final win over Trinity Meteors on Saturday at Neptune Stadium.

A driving layup from Sorcha Tiernan helped put Liffey Celtics into an early 6-2 lead, however a put back by Ava Learn brought it level at 6-6 with a little over two minutes gone. A three point jump by Learn saw Trinity Meteors, who were seeking to reach a second cup final in four years, trail 14-13 with four minutes to go in the first. Liffey Celtics would hold a 18-15 advantage by the end of the quarter, thanks to a pair of Tiernan free throws in the final minute.

Aisling Moran’s three put Trinity Meteors ahead, 22-20, four minutes into the second quarter. It remained tight, a two point jump shot from Sarah Kenny brought it level at 28-28 with three minutes to go. Liffey Celtics responded with a a six point run, through four points from Destinee Brusch and a Brooke Kane layup, to lead 34-28. The Kildare outfit would be 38-31 in front by half-time, Brush with 15 points at that stage and she’d finish with a game-high 21.

With just under seven minutes remaining in the third Hazel Finn picked up her fourth foul, which saw her return to the bench. Trinity Meteors kept themselves very much in contention during her absence and trailed by four, 40-36, midway through the quarter following Learn’s basket and a Horstmeyer free throw. The deficit was cut to a single point following a long-range three by Kenny to leave it poised at 42-41 with 3’13 left in the quarter. Two layups from Aisling Moran in the final minute nudged Trinity Meteors 47-46 in front, before an Aine O’Connor jump shot saw Liffey Celtics reclaim the lead, 48-47.

Ciara Mulligan’s two-point jump shot was the opening score of the fourth quarter, but Liffey Celtics responded and were ahead by four 53-49 following four points by Katie Williamson and a Brusch free throw. Meteors again responed with a deep three from Kenny to trail 53-52.

Scores from Brooke Kane and Tiernan established a five point lead, 57-52, for Liffey Celtics with four minutes remaining. Finn picked up her fifth foul and exited the game with 3’37” to go and Kane converted her two free throws to leave Liffey Celtics 59-52 up and appearing in control of proceedings.

Hillary Netsiyanwa’s side built a 10 point lead with two minutes remaining, 62-52, following two more O’Connor free throws and one from Tiernan. Meteors needed a response and fast, a Moran layup and a jump shot from Catherine Connaire reduced the deficit, but Liffey Celtics would keep them at bay, winning 69-57.

Speaking about a return to the final for the defending champions, Liffey Celtics and Ireland international player Sorcha Tiernan said: “It means so much, we’ve had a really tough second year, a lot of change. We’ve really put it together the last couple of weeks to get through, so delighted. It’s hard to get back to a final, so delighted to be there.”

She added: “We’re building a bit of momentum now, I think to be honest that was a gritted out performance, I don’t think we’ve played anywhere near our best, but thankfully we were able to get over the line with a lot of hard work, but we still have levels to reach, we can still go up another level so we’ll be working hard in training over the next couple of weeks.”

Quarter Scores:
Q1: 15-18, Q2: 16-20 Q3: 16-10, Q4: 10-21
Game Scores:
Q1: 15-18, Q2: 31-38, Q3: 47-48, Q4: 57-69
Trinity Meteors:
Hazel Finn (2), Caoimhe Gilligan (DNP), Catherine Connaire (7), Sarah Kenny (12), Ciara Mulligan (2), Aisling Moran (12), Franciska Treiliha (0), Ava Learn (12), Kylie Horstmeyer (10), Riodhna McGrath (DNP)
FloMAX Liffey Celtics:
Brooke Kane (13), Crea Langan (0), Kate O’Flaherty (0), Kelly Bracken (DNP), Aoibhinn Doyle (0), Katie Williamson (15), Destineee Bursch (21), Carley Njonguo (0), Clara Boyce (0), Sorcha Tiernan (14), Erin Boyce (0), Aine O’Connor (6).