Brunell to face Fr Mathews in Paudie O'Connor Cup final

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