Team Montenotte Hotel Cork's match winner Michelle Fahy was relived after her side's ambitions of retaining the Women’s SuperLeague National Cup looked to be in serious trouble against a hugely brave Waterford Wildcats outfit.
Tony Hehir's Wildcats fought back from a 53-38 deficit to force over-time before Fahy cruelly denied them a famous cup win with two free throws inside the last ten second to claim a 78-77 success.
'It looked all over but to snatch it the way we did was phenomenal,' said Irish international captain Fahy.
Wildcats made little of their 'underdog' in the first quarter and fired into a 6-2 lead in the opening stages courtesy of two lay-ups in quick succession from experienced Irish international Michelle Aspell.
Jennifer Strong responded for Team Montenotte but baskets from Catherine White and a three from Aspell kept Wildcats in control towards the closing stages of the quarter.
An excellent three from Amanda O'Regan kept Mark Scannell's Glanmire in close pursuit but two free throws from the reliable hands of Aspell left Wildcats holding a 21-17 advantage at the interval.
Montenotte, who have recorded 12 straight wins in their league campaign, restored parity shortly after the re-start with a basket from Strong followed by a successful break from Fahy.
Montenotte maintained their positive start to the quarter with a string of fine scores from Strong, Fahy and Niamh Dwyer.
Aspell and Jenny Kelly reduced the arrears for Wildcats but Montenotte began to show their class to lead at half time 43-30 courtesy of some good work from Marie Breen and a stunning three from Dwyer.
Montenotte looked to be cruising when they extended their advantage to 53-38 but Wildcats produced an excellent comeback to get within six points of their fancied opponents with US duo McNamara and Kirstin Zompetti playing a major part in the revival.
Strong provided a brief reprieve but Wildcats faced a fourth quarter trailing by just six points (58-52).
In a dramatic final quarter, Wildcats fired the game into extra time when Kirsten Zompetti's three-pointer leveled the game at 70-70.
The holders, however, responded with excellent baskets from their Most Valable Player Jennifer Strong while their captain Marie Breen excelled in defence.
With just over a minute left on the clock Waterford had a slender lead of two points but another twist in the game handed the initiative back to the Cork team with a foul on Fahy who stepped up to the mark with two outstanding frees.
Fahy said: 'We were underdogs last year when we won the cup but Wildcats showed why you cannot look at league form when you reach this stage of the competition. They were awesome and to fight back in the manner they did was superb.
'They were superb against DCU in the last round and looked destined for the win after their fine comeback but we have shown against UL Aughinish in the semi-finals and now Wildcats that we are never beaten until the final buzzer.
'It was incredible to be part of the game and a fantastic advertisement for women’s basketball in general and I am delighted the TV cameras were here to capture the drama.'
Team Montonette Hotel Cork 43 (70) 78 (Jennifer Strong 28, Michelle Fahy 19, Marie Breen 12)
Bausch & Lomb Waterford Wildcats 30 (52) 70 (Michelle Aspell 29, Jenny Coady 12, Katie McNamara 11)
