Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell won the club’s first InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor National Cup title, defeating fellow-Cork side Catalyst Fr. Mathews 100-84.
Captain Edel Thornton was awarded the MVP with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and five turnovers, but there were multiple standout performers for the victors, including American Jayla Johnson, 28 points and 10 rebounds, and Lauren Homan, 23 points.
It was a frantic opening quarter at the National Basketball Arena with the sides matching each other blow-for-blow. A three point jump shot off the glass from Thornton, followed by a Johnson layup had Gurranabraher Credit Union 16-13 up, but Ariel Johnson levelled things from the three point line to make it 16 apiece midway through the quarter. A Katie Walsh two point jump shot from the corner put Gurranabraher Credit Union Burnell 28-25 ahead at the end of the quarter.
"Everything we did this year, we did for him!" ❤️
"They're my saving grace, they don't know whether you've won or lost the game, they're just there." 🧒👧
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell's captain Edel Thornton speaking about the club's founding member and her own family. 🏀 pic.twitter.com/qP4ELlsPMR— Off The Ball (@offtheball) January 21, 2024
Liam Culloty’s side raced out of the blocks in the second quarter, Thornton picking out Danielle O’Leary for a three to put them 33-25 up within a minute. Their lead was 10 points in third minute of the second quarter, 36-26, Johnson with the layup and additional free throw. A long range O’Leary three had Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell 41-29 to the good in the fourth minute.
Catalyst Fr. Mathews dragged themselves back into the contest, with Grainne Dwyer central to it, her put-back basket had them trailing 43-38 with 3’48 to go in the second quarter. A Shannon Brady layup followed and it was a three point game.
Gurranabraher Credit Union would take a nine point lead into half-time, thanks to a shotclock beating three by Homan, to hand them a 54-45 lead – the shot greeted by high-fives from teammates.
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell led by 15 points at one stage in the third, but Catalyst Fr. Mathews kept themselves in the fight, a layup by Ariel Johnson at the end of the quarter – she’d finish with a game-high 35 points - and the deficit was nine once more, 72-63.
Five quickfire points from Johnson, a three point jump shot, followed by a steal and layup and the gap was six points, 74-68, with two minutes gone in the fourth quarter.
Back-to-back three’s for Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell - Homan’s fifth and Thornton’s second - brought their personal tallies to 20 points and 18 points respectively at that stage and the Nellies were 83-71 up with six minutes to go. This game was far from over, Gráinne Dwyer’s three midway through the quarter and it was a seven point game once more, 86-79.
O’Leary’s fourth from the three point line three made it 91-81 with three minutes to go and it appeared it was going to be Brunell's day. A Johnson two point jump shot - to bring her to 28 points - reinforced their lead further and they’d eventually claim a 100-84 win.
Head coach Liam Culloty said: “It’s just unbelievable for everyone involved in the club and we’re absolutely delighted. To get over the line for the first time ever, for this club to win the Super League cup (InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor National Cup) is just an incredible feeling, especially the year that is in it, our 40th anniversary and obviously our founding member passed away in September.
“We beat a really, really good team, Fr. Mathews have a team of legends there, the two Dwyers, Niamh and Gráinne, unbelievable legacy. We believe we have started our own little legacy today with two sets of sisters in the team, so hopefully that’s the start new for the club as we push on.”
Catalyst Fr. Mathews 84–100 Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell
Quarter Scores: Q1: 25-28, Q2: 45-54, Q3: 63-72, Q4: 84-100
Catalyst Fr. Mathews:
Aisha Kaid, Danielle Murphy O’Riordan, Lesley Ann Wilkinson, Amy Murphy, Abby Murphy, Gráinne Dwyer, Arianna Price, Ciara McCarthy, Ariel Johnson, Shannon Brady, Niamh Dwyer.
Head Coach: Pat Price
Top Scorers: Ariel Johnson 35, Gráinne Dwyer 13, Lesley Ann Wilkinson and Shannon Brady (both 10)
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell:
Kelly Sexton, Rebecca Sexton, Jayla Johnson, Ava Walshe, Lauryn Homan, Danielle O’Leary, Kyaja Williams, Edel Thornton, Lauren Crean Hickey, Alex Macheta, Rachel Lynch, Katie Walshe, Laura Hannigan.
Head Coach: Liam Culloty
Top Scorers: Jayla Johnson 28, Lauryn Homan 23, Edel Thornton 18
