GCU Brunell accounted for Killester in the U20 Women’s National Cup semi final played at the Gurranabraher Credit Union Parochial Arena in front of their large group supporters on Sunday afternoon and now go on to play Waterford Wildcats in the final in two weeks time.

Kilester shot the ball extremely well in the first period against the Brunell zone defence and led at the end of the period 27-20. 

Then Ava Walshe came to live for the Neillies, as she added eight points, however, a buzzer beater by Rebecca Sexton had their side leading 35-33 at the half.

Brunell switched their defensive to man to man in the third period and they restricted Killester to only nine points and led 49-42 going into the final quarter.

Brunell had many heroes on the day however, the defending of Kelsey Cooper was superb in the second half.

Rachel Lynch gave Brunell the perfect start to the game with she showed some good footwork in the post to finish with a neat bank shot, however, the Dublin side took a 6-2 lead with baskets from Sarah Courtesy after three minutes of play. 

The Neillie’s responses with a short jumper by Rebecca Sexton and another inside score from Lynch to tie the game 8-8 midway through the opening period. 

Killester then hit three shots outside the arc to expose Brunell’s zone defence to take a 22-15 lead, however, two strong moves to the basket and two foul shots by Ava Walshe reduced the deficit 27-20 at the end of the opening quarter.

Brunell made a dream start to the second period with another strong move to the hoop by Walshe followed by a foul shot and a shot from the elbow from Rachel Bowdren made it a one point game 28-27 and forced Killester into a timeout. 

Walshe added her 14th point of the game with a monstrous three pointer followed by a baseline jumper from Lynch to give Brunell a 32-28 after 18 minutes of play. 

Killester regained their lead with a three, however, a buzzer beating shot from outside the arc from Sexton gave Brunell a slender 35-33 at the half.

Both sides traded baskets in the early minutes of the restart, however, Lynch was making her presence felt with some excellent post play for Brunell to take a 46-40 lead in the 26th minute. 

Brunell finished the period with a pair of foul shots from Bowdren for them to lead 49-42.

Killester made a superb start to the final period with baskets from Turner and Bree Shelly to make a one point game, however, two baskets from Sexton and a slash to the basket from Clodagh Downey gave Brunell a 55-48 advantage midway through the period. 

The Neillies managed out the game superbly with Walshe and Sexton by nailing foul shots down the stretch and showed all their experience as they booked their place in the final.

Top scorers for GCU Brunell: Rebecca Sexton 19, Ava Walshe 18, Rachel Lynch 13.

Kilester: Leilani Turner 20, Sarah Courtney 11, Eleanor Fitzgibbons 9.

GURRANABRAHER CREDIT UNION BRUNELL: Clodagh Downey, Kelsey Cooper, Ealla Downey, Aoife Barrett, Laura Hannigan, Emily Payton-Blake, Rachel Bowdren, Rachel Lynch, Ava Walshe, Rebecca Sexton, Ciara Barrett.

KILLESTER: Eleanor Fitzsimons, Bree Shelley, Leilani Turner, Ealla Foley, Julianna Young, Lana Walsh, Sarah Courtney, Aisling Courtney, Stacey Walsh, Sarah Power.

Referees: Linda Cassidy ( Dublin), Leanne Ahern ( Limerick), Tara Dumphy ( Dublin).