UL Huskies missed out on the opportunity to create history as they were beaten 81-71 by Team Montenotte in the Basketball Ireland Women’s Premier League final at Neptune Stadium, Cork last Sunday March 23.
The Limerick side were aiming to become the most successful team in the history of Irish women’s basketball with an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in a row.
However, Team Montenotte upset the odds for the second time in a major final this season, having also snatched the National Cup from UL’s grasp last January.
Montenotte were dominant for large parts of the game and effectively ended the match as a contest in the third quarter when they went 15 points ahead – leaving Huskies with a mountain to climb in the final minutes.
The Dwyer sisters, Grainne and Niamh, scored 44 points between them in two brilliant individual performances for the Cork side, as UL struggled to cope with them defensively.
Every starter on the Montenotte team netted 10 points or more and this was always going to be the difference in a contest of two teams with similar quality.
Huskies will rue their missed opportunities, though, as only Rachel Clancy (25) and Loretta Maher (21) broke the 10 point mark – while UL’s inefficiency at the free throw line also cost them dearly.
James Weldon’s team can look back on a successful season with a tinge of disappointment. They picked up the regular season championship but came up short in the National Cup and Premier League finals – both against Team Montenotte.
There was also disappointment for the UL Eagles in the men’s League Cup semi-final last Saturday March 22.
They went down to Belfast Star in a scoreline of 83-75, ending any remaining Limerick interest in Basketball Ireland competitions for this season – despite the best efforts of star men Delwan Graham with 19 points and Irish international Neil Campbell with 18.
By Robert McNamara
