Killester set up a repeat of last year's Domino’s WSL National Cup final after 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.
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.
