Joy on the court for north Kildare basketball club as they become All-Ireland champions

Leixlip-based basketball club enjoyed a historic evening in Donegal on Saturday when they were crowd Women's Super League champions after overcoming Ambassador UCC Glanmire in the play-off final at Letterkenny IT.

Following a rollercoaster of a season between the two teams – with one win each in the Super League, while Glanmire had the better of the spoils in the Hula Hoops Cup final back in January - today, though, it was all about Liffey Celtics as they drove into a lead midway through the first quarter and did not let it go.

Sorcha Tiernan and Anna Pupin were the stand out stars for the Kildare side who were without the services of their taliswoman, Emma O’Connor, who suffered an injury in their semi-final against DCU Mercy last weekend. And, despite the best efforts of Grainne Dwyer and Casey Grace of Glanmire, it just wasn’t to be, as cheers rang around the arena as the final buzzer sounded on a 54-64 point win for Liffey Celtics.

“I can’t put it into words at the moment," said Liffey Head Coach, Mark Byrne. "I’m so proud of the girls. They have done so well. If you’re ever going to win anything, chances are you’re going to have to go through Glanmire to do it. I think we’ve come on so much since the Cup final – we’ve won eight in a row since that day and I’m so proud of them."

Elsewhere, Templeogue and Garvey’s Tralee Warriors will go head-to-head in the Men’s Champions Trophy final this evening at 4pm as Templeogue battled hard against UCD Marian in the semi-final today, while Tralee came through an absolute thriller with Griffith Swords Thunder to book their spot in the final.

In the Men’s League Cup semi-finals meanwhile, there were wins for BFG Neptune and Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin to set up a final showdown between them at midday, while the third game of the day will see the Women’s Division One play-off final between ITC Basketball and Marble City Hawks tip in at 2pm.