Basketball: Limerick Celtics promoted to Women’s Super League after overtime win over Cleveland Rockets

An Amy Buckley basket with 1.7 seconds to go forced overtime.

Limerick Celtics' Sabhdh Edwards Murphy celebrates winning. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher

Limerick Celtics secured promotion to the Domino’s Women’s Super League in dramatic fashion, defeating Cleveland Rockets 76-68 after overtime in the Domino’s Women’s Division One Playoff Final at the National Basketball Arena. 

They needed an Amy Buckley basket with 1.7 seconds to go to force overtime and then dominated the additional period to secure top flight status for the first time. It comes just a year after the men’s team sealed promotion to the Domino’s Men’s Super League for the first time.

MVP Sidney Richards scored 10 of her 30 points in the overtime to drive her to team to victory. What made it more impressive is that the American had to play the last six minutes and overtime on four fouls, but crucially stayed on court to make the difference.

Limerick Celtics celebrate winning. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher

Limerick Celtics head coach Jordan Hehir said: “It definitely wasn’t an easy one, going down 14 points and losing Aoife (Morrissey, to injury) was huge and I just think the girls just found a new gear that I don’t think we’ve actually seen this season, in terms of energy and heart, that brought it back.

"For them to finish out in regulation and then in overtime, I mean it was fantastic. Everything you asked of them, every time they needed a big play they made a big play and that’s everyone, one through to 12 and it didn’t matter who.” 

On securing promotion Hehir added: “It is massive, I think coming short last year, to do it one year was great. Of course I was sad (to miss out last year), but I can seeing how well the men have done in this year and how much youth and heart we have in this women’s team, very excited. I am very excited to go up and have the challenge of Super League for hopefully a number of years.” 

Cleveland Rockets: Maeve Deery (2), Aoibheann Donnelly (16), Eimile Rogers-Duffy (2), Lucy Sherlock (DNP), Joanna Ryan (DNP), Caitlin Gloeckner (22), Alyssa Jimenez (14), Georgie McGrath (7), Niamh O’Leary (0), Emma Gilgunn (DNP), Ruth Gallagher (DNP), Charley McGrath (5) Head Coach: Breda Dick Limerick Celtics: Laura Buckley (6), Meabh Purtill (6), Madelyn Hartigan (0), Amy Buckley (18), Sidney Richards (30), Sabhbh Edwards Murphy (13), Aoife Morrissey (1), Jade You (DNP), Emer Purtill (0), Katie Richards (2), Aisling Jordan (0), Anna Nealon (0)