DCU Mercy claim fantastic treble

A NORTHSIDE basketball club is celebrating an historic treble after claiming three titles at the National Cup Finals at the National Basketball Arena (NBA) in Tallaght.

DCU Mercy, based in Coolock, won the Hula Hoops Women’s National Cup Final with a nail-biting 72-71 victory over Ambassador UCC Glanmire. 

The Dubliners defeated the same club 74-42 in the Women’s Under 18 final, and completed the fantastic treble with a 73-54 win over Brunell in the Under 20 Final. 

It was the second consecutive year that the club won the Under 18 and Under 20 titles. 

Bronagh Power-Cassidy, Maeve O'Seaghdha and Nicole Clancy, all aged 17, played in all three finals on a superb weekend for the club which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2019. Speaking after her starring role in the Women’s Senior Final, emotional captain and Most Valuable Player (MVP), Sarah Woods, said: “Am I dreaming? To win by a point?! Nobody even imagines that in cup finals.”

Woods put in a superb 21-point performance. “We’ll never forget this moment,” she added.

“ It’s been a while for the likes of myself and Aisling Sullivan – and for us to lift the cup together was extra special.”

DCU Mercy last lifted the Women’s National Cup in 2011 but nothing could eclipse this triumph for drama.

DCU Mercy secretary Annette Ingle told Northside People: “It was a huge achievement for all involved and the commitment and hard work from the players, coaches and background staff paid off.  

“DCU Mercy would like to thank DCU for their support over the years and also, our various sponsors, the parents, players, team managers and committee members for their support.”

DCU Mercy will be holding an open day on Saturday, May 14 for anyone interested in joining the club. For details on the training times, contact Annette on 086-3748148 or through the website dcumercy.com.

KUBS was another Northside club celebrating at the NBA after it won the Hula Hoops Under 20 Men’s National Cup with thrilling 68-65 victory over Moycullen.

Unfortunately Pyrobel Killester couldn’t make it another treble for the Northside, losing 71-54 to St Mary’s Castleisland in the Hula Hoops NICC Women’s National Cup Final.

Meanwhile, in the Hula Hoops Irish Wheelchair Basketball Final, Killester WBC were narrowly beaten 62-58 by Ballybrack WBC.