Nuig Mystics won the BIW D1 League title with one game remaining following a massive win in Cork on Friday night. NUIG were without 4 players, 2 of them starters for the game V Fr.Matthews.Currently 2nd in the league , Fr.Matthews were confident of putting the league decider down to the last Game for Mystics V Ulster Rockets on Sunday but NUIG Mystics had other plans. NUIG Mystics started with Hannah Coen, Ailish O’Reilly,Marritta Gillcrease, Lauren Murray and Deirdre O’Shea and the first quarter was high scoring with all the starters getting off the mark and Ailish O’Reilly leading the way with 9 points, the quarter ended in Mystics favour on a scoreline of 21-13. The second quarter started with a 3 pointer from Lauren Murray and Hannah Coen and Marritta Gillcrease working tirelessly inside on defense and scoring on the offensive end.At the Half it was 36-23 in Mystics favour. The Second half saw a revitalised fr Matthews who came out fighting and putting pressure huge pressure on Mystics guards. Rebecca Hansberry got in in the third and hit a big 2 straight away. Matthews won the third to cut the gap but Mystics still had the advantage on a scoreline of 49-40. Going into the fourth Fr Matthews had some foul trouble with 4 of their players on 4 fouls, they fought hard though and with Mystics tiring they introduced Emer Smyth and Aoibhin O’Neill and their fresh legs proved very helpful to Mystics. Fr Matthews drew Level with 2.5 mins remaining but a big “3” from Coen saw Mystics take back the lead and with Fr Matthews on team fouls Mystics Went to the line through O Reilly and Coen to secure a very important win and more importantly the National League Title.
NUIG Mystics Marritta Gillcrease (12), Hannah Coen (17), Ailish O’Reilly (23), Lauren Murray (9), Deirdre O’Shea (4), Rebecca Hansberry (2), Emer Smyth, Aoibhin O’Neill.
With the League title secured NUIG Mystics took on Ulster Rockets in the Kingfisher on Sunday in front of a great crowd of supporters. Bus loads of supporters came from Mayo and Tullamore to cheer on the Mystics in their last regular league home game.Mystics were back to their full strength team and started with Hannah Coen, Ailish O’Reilly,Marritta Gillcrease, Lauren Murray & Deirdre O’Shea and started well with Coen hitting 6 in the first and the first also saw the introduction of Siobhan Kilkenny and Catherine Connaire.The 1st finished on a scoreline of 13-12 in Mystics favour but the second saw Mystics step up the intensity. Michelle Fahy entered the game as did Emer Smyth and mystic won the 2nd 19-6 and on the half the score was 31-19 in Mystics favour. Into the 3rd and the substitutions were being made with Leah Cunningham entering the game for Gillcrease and Aoibhinn O’Neill getting on to go up against her sister who plays for the Ulster Rockets. The teams traded baskets and even though Rockets played well there was only one outcome to this game.Suzanne McDonagh came in for Mystics and Hit Points in quick succession. The scoreline ran out 59-51 and secured another win for NUIG Mystics who ended their regular season on 16 wins and 1 loss.
NUIG Mystics Marritta Gillcrease (10), Siobhan Kilkenny (9), Lauren Murray, Ailish O’Reilly (7), Suzanne McDonagh (6), Leah Cunningham (4), Michelle Fahy (6), Catherine Connaire (4), Aoibhinn O’Neill, Deirdre O Shea (2), Hannah Coen (11), Emer Smyth, Rebecca Hansberry.
Hannah Coen, Deirdre O’Shea and Mike Murray joined John and George on Over The Line on Monday Night
