Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell overcame defending InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O'Connor Cup champions Pyrobel Killester 92-78, to reach their first cup final since 2019.
It will be a Cork derby in the decider, with Catalyst Fr Mathews reaching their first ever final following a 71-67 win over FloMAX Liffey Celtics.
In the first semi-final at Neptune Stadium, Catalyst Fr Mathews saw Ariel Johnson top score with 24 points, while there were also big performances from Shannon Brady and the Dwyer sisters, Niamh and Gráinne.
There was little to separate Catalyst Fr Mathews and FloMAX Liffey Celtics in the opening quarter. Alexandra Naverette, who had a team high of 23 points, hit two threes, one of which came in the dying seconds to give FloMAX Liffey Celtics a 20-16 lead.
But the scoring dried up for Karl Kilbride’s side in the opening stages of the second quarter and when Johnson landed her two pointer to bring her personal tally to 10 with 2:41 to go, Catalyst Fr Mathews were ahead 37-25; they would have a 37-29 advantage at half-time.
Pat Price’s team started brightest in the third quarter and built a 16 point lead two and a half minutes in, following Johnson’s steal and basket to lead to lead 45-29. A pair of Sorcha Tiernan threes helped narrow the gap, as FloMAX Liffey Celtics trailed 52-44 at the end of the third.
The deficit was reduced to two points four minutes into the fourth quarter, thanks to baskets from Áine O’Connor, Naverette and Tianna Ayulo.
It continued to be close - another Johnson basket and a free throws from Brady saw Fr Mathews ahead 70-67 with 19.3 seconds to go. As the game restarted, Niamh Dwyer rallied the Fr Mathews support to the desired effect. A Tiernan three-point attempt failed to land, Johnson pounced on possession and was fouled in the process, converting one of her two free throw attempts to wrap up a 71-67 victory.
In the second semi, American Jayla Johnson scored 31 points for the Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell, along with five rebounds and three turnovers is a fine all-round performance in their win over Pyrobel Killester.
Captain Edel Thornton - sporting a protective mask - had 18 points, three rebounds and five assists, while fellow Irish international Lauryn Homan and Kyaja Williams had 14 and 17 points respectively.
It was Killester who started the sharper and they led by 12 two minutes into the second quarter after Leilani Turner’s three point jump shot put them 31-19 up. Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell, responded with a 10 point run in the next two minutes, Johnson’s two-pointer bringing it to 31-29.
It was 54 apiece at the midpoint of the third quarter, before Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell hit a hot streak, with three’s from Homan and Danielle O’Leary had them 66-58 up with 2:34 left. A Homan layup in the closing seconds put Gurranabraher 74-60 ahead at the close of the third.
Killester’s hopes were dented when they lost both Ieva Bagdanaviciene and Keowa Walters in the fourth after both picked up their fifth fouls. Killester still had the potent Jiselle Thomas, her basket made it a nine point game, 80-71 with four minutes to go. The American was dominant in the paint and would finish with 38 points.
It was to be Gurranabraher Credit Union’s day, a pair of free throws at the death from Williams wrapped up a 92-78 win.
The final will take place at the National Basketball Arena on Sunday 21 January.
