LIMERICK Celtics will run up against Portlaoise Panthers in a mouth-watering Presidents’ Cup Final at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin on Saturday (tip-off 3.30pm).
In their weekend semi-final in Cork, Tony Hehir’s Celtics overcame a sluggish start to maintain their unbeaten tag in the 2024/25 season with an eventual 85-78 win against Tolka Rovers.
Men’s Division One Player of the Month Finn Hughes continued his rich vein of form with a 31-point haul, while other big contributions for the winners came from Ariyon Williams (24) and Eoghan Donaghy (11).
Celtics trailed 48-39 at the interval, but came back strongly in the closing half to gain parity on a couple of occasions (at 60 and 70 points apiece) before an effort from outside the arc by Hughes, followed by successive buckets from Chima Obikwelu and Williams decided the issue.
Panthers were 67-55 winners over Titans in the other semi.
Limerick Celtics: Eoghan Donaghy, Ariyon Jamal Williams, Martin Frawley, Cian Gleeson, Conor Donaghy, Dennis Matthews, Finn Hughes, Matthew Barry, Chima Obikwelu, Abdul Wurie, Philip Kearney, Sean Ryan, Vadjikiba Dosso, Jordan Hehir.
Meanwhile, defending champions Celtics were narrow 68-64 losers to Cavan Eagles in the semi-final of the Women’s Division One National Cup.
The top scorers for the runners-up were Shelby Harmeyer (23), Stephanie McBride (21), Louise Scannell (10).
In the semi-final of Irish Wheelchair Association National Cup, Celtics – for whom Paralympian Tiernán O’Donnell served up a game-high 15 points – were beaten in the semi-final by holders Rebel Wheelers of Cork.
At under-age ranks, defending champions Celtics overcame Killester 58-52 to advance to the U20 Men’s National Cup decider against Dundalk Ravens.
Celtics’ leading scorers were Cian Gleeson (22), Matthew Barry (10), and Philip Kearney (9).
In the semi-final of the U18 Billy Coffey Cup, Limerick Lions surrendered a one-time 25 point advantage in a 75-72 loss to Éanna (Dublin).
Harry Horkan (27), Fred Kimas (19) and Kirill Yakovlev (16) were top scorers for Lions.
