In one of the closest games of Flomax Liffey Celtics’ NICC Women’s National Cup campaign so far, Tralee Magic pushed the favored Dublin side to the limit, eventually falling 54-42 in a thrilling contest. While the result didn’t go their way, Tralee Magic delivered a determined and gutsy performance that kept the game competitive right until the final whistle.
First Half: Battling to Stay in the Game
The first quarter saw Tralee Magic come out with energy, with Holly O’Brien leading the charge. The Celtics managed to edge ahead 16-11, but Tralee’s defensive efforts, particularly from Emily Flynn and Rachel Creedon, kept the game within reach.
The second quarter proved to be the toughest stretch for Tralee, as the Celtics' disciplined offense capitalized on a few missed opportunities from the Magic. Despite this, Tralee refused to back down, ending the half trailing 29-19 but showing plenty of promise heading into the third quarter.
Second Half: Tralee’s Fighting Spirit
The third quarter saw Tralee Magic respond to the challenge, with Holly O’Brien and Emily Flynn stepping up offensively. Muireann Teaman made her presence felt in the paint, and Tralee clawed their way back into the contest. The Magic saved their best for last, putting up 15 points in the fourth quarter—outscoring the Celtics in that period—and showing their resilience right until the end.
Flomax Liffey Celtics, however, managed to hold on with key contributions from Niamh Masterson and Claudia Canuto Sanchez, whose efficient shooting proved crucial in fending off Tralee’s late rally.
Key Performances
Tralee Magic
Holly O’Brien: A standout performance with 14 points, including an impressive 83% free-throw accuracy. Her leadership and scoring were pivotal in keeping Tralee competitive.
Emily Flynn: Contributed 8 points and was a consistent presence throughout, particularly with her shooting from mid-range and beyond the arc.
Muireann Teaman: Added a gritty performance with 3 points and tireless defensive work, showing great hustle on both ends of the floor.
Tralee Magic’s determination was evident, but their struggles with three-point shooting and missed opportunities from the free-throw line left them just short of completing what would have been a famous upset.
Flomax Liffey Celtics
Niamh Masterson: Led the way for the Celtics with 14 points, including a perfect free-throw percentage.
Claudia Canuto Sanchez: Scored 9 points, showing composure and efficiency in key moments.
Ada Bowler: Added 10 points and played a vital role in maintaining the Celtics’ lead during Tralee’s fourth-quarter surge.
Team Statistics
Tralee Magic converted 8 of their 18 free-throw attempts and made 14 two-pointers. Their effort in the final quarter showed they had the heart to match one of the competition’s strongest teams. Flomax Liffey Celtics’ disciplined approach and ability to convert key scoring opportunities made the difference, but they were pushed harder in this game than any other in their campaign so far.
Conclusion
While Tralee Magic’s cup journey ends here, they can take immense pride in their performance. They battled one of the top teams in the competition and forced the Celtics to dig deep for their victory. This was far from an easy win for the Dublin side, and it showcased the grit and resilience of a Tralee team that fought for every point.
Congratulations to Flomax Liffey Celtics on their victory and best wishes for the remainder of the competition. For Tralee Magic, this performance serves as a reminder of their potential and a platform to build on for future success.
First Half: Battling to Stay in the Game
The first quarter saw Tralee Magic come out with energy, with Holly O’Brien leading the charge. The Celtics managed to edge ahead 16-11, but Tralee’s defensive efforts, particularly from Emily Flynn and Rachel Creedon, kept the game within reach.
The second quarter proved to be the toughest stretch for Tralee, as the Celtics' disciplined offense capitalized on a few missed opportunities from the Magic. Despite this, Tralee refused to back down, ending the half trailing 29-19 but showing plenty of promise heading into the third quarter.
Second Half: Tralee’s Fighting Spirit
The third quarter saw Tralee Magic respond to the challenge, with Holly O’Brien and Emily Flynn stepping up offensively. Muireann Teaman made her presence felt in the paint, and Tralee clawed their way back into the contest. The Magic saved their best for last, putting up 15 points in the fourth quarter—outscoring the Celtics in that period—and showing their resilience right until the end.
Flomax Liffey Celtics, however, managed to hold on with key contributions from Niamh Masterson and Claudia Canuto Sanchez, whose efficient shooting proved crucial in fending off Tralee’s late rally.
Key Performances
Tralee Magic
Holly O’Brien: A standout performance with 14 points, including an impressive 83% free-throw accuracy. Her leadership and scoring were pivotal in keeping Tralee competitive.
Emily Flynn: Contributed 8 points and was a consistent presence throughout, particularly with her shooting from mid-range and beyond the arc.
Muireann Teaman: Added a gritty performance with 3 points and tireless defensive work, showing great hustle on both ends of the floor.
Tralee Magic’s determination was evident, but their struggles with three-point shooting and missed opportunities from the free-throw line left them just short of completing what would have been a famous upset.
Flomax Liffey Celtics
Niamh Masterson: Led the way for the Celtics with 14 points, including a perfect free-throw percentage.
Claudia Canuto Sanchez: Scored 9 points, showing composure and efficiency in key moments.
Ada Bowler: Added 10 points and played a vital role in maintaining the Celtics’ lead during Tralee’s fourth-quarter surge.
Team Statistics
Tralee Magic converted 8 of their 18 free-throw attempts and made 14 two-pointers. Their effort in the final quarter showed they had the heart to match one of the competition’s strongest teams. Flomax Liffey Celtics’ disciplined approach and ability to convert key scoring opportunities made the difference, but they were pushed harder in this game than any other in their campaign so far.
Conclusion
While Tralee Magic’s cup journey ends here, they can take immense pride in their performance. They battled one of the top teams in the competition and forced the Celtics to dig deep for their victory. This was far from an easy win for the Dublin side, and it showcased the grit and resilience of a Tralee team that fought for every point.
Congratulations to Flomax Liffey Celtics on their victory and best wishes for the remainder of the competition. For Tralee Magic, this performance serves as a reminder of their potential and a platform to build on for future success.
