A year after falling short in the 2024 league final, Trinity College’s Varsity Women’s team took the court motivated to redeem last year’s tough loss to the University of Galway. Their opponents, a young and fast DCU squad, were determined to avenge their defeat to Trinity at the start of the season.
Reflecting on the journey back to the final, Trinity Head Coach Hilary Nets emphasised just how special this win was: “It was a great achievement to get back to the main stage and come out with the win this time. We got to play a very different Galway in the semi-final and we got the win, so completing the journey was definitely special. We are now looking forward to competing and retaining the Division 1 Varsities Trophy too.”
The match unfolded with an electrifying start as Trinity seized an early lead thanks to an elegant finish in transition from Lisa Blaney. However, DCU came out blazing hot from the 3-point line, hitting four quick three-pointers to jump out to a 15-5 lead and forcing Coach Nets into an early timeout. Staying composed, Nets reassured his players and made crucial defensive adjustments to contain DCU’s offensive firepower.
Missing Irish international Sarah Kenny due to injury, Trinity knew everyone had to step up. Star center Emma Merriweather rose to the occasion, scoring seven of her 15 points in the first quarter, using her height advantage and soft touch around the rim to dominate the paint. Captain Hannah Murphy also provided a pivotal moment, attacking the basket with a strong rip-through move and finishing through contact for an and-one play. Despite their slow start, Trinity trailed by just five heading into the second quarter.
DCU, well aware of Merriweather’s ability to take over games, game-planned aggressively to neutralise her. Constant double-teams were thrown her way, but Trinity’s center used her basketball IQ to exploit the extra attention, delivering pinpoint passes to open teammates on the perimeter. This strategy paid off as Trinity’s shooters Hannah Murphy, Alex Mulligan, and Lina Moley Stolz found their rhythm from deep. Lisa Blaney’s relentless drives created havoc for DCU’s defense, opening up clean looks for Trinity’s shooters, who capitalised brilliantly.
It was Alex Mulligan who truly shone in the second quarter, pouring in nine crucial points with a mix of outside shooting, midrange jumpers, and inside finishes. One of the game's standout moments came when Clodagh O’Brien drained a one-handed, off-balance floater as the shot clock expired, an effort that earned recognition as the "Play of the Game." From trailing by ten in the first quarter, Trinity entered halftime with a five-point lead.
As the second half began, Coach Nets challenged his team to step up defensively, a message that clearly resonated. “There was a focus on our defense after how successful DCU were in the first half,” Nets explained. “Defense is always a point for us, but we reiterated what we wanted to limit, and the girls delivered an impressive second-half performance that was closer to our full potential.”
Trinity's defensive intensity skyrocketed in the third quarter, holding DCU to just 10 points. Emma Merriweather was a menacing presence in the paint, altering shots and forcing DCU into uncomfortable attempts. Ciara Mulligan’s versatility was also on display, effectively shutting down DCU’s perimeter threats while making key defensive plays.
On the offensive end, Alex Mulligan continued her stellar performance, scoring eight points in the third quarter, including a coast-to-coast layup and a deep three-pointer off a Blaney assist. She wasn’t just dominant offensively; her defensive pressure also stifled DCU’s guards, culminating in a huge block on their star player. Her all-around brilliance earned her the Finals MVP award.
Heading into the final quarter, Trinity enjoyed a commanding 16-point lead and never looked back. Contributions came from across the roster, with Sinéad Boyle, Aisling Courtney, Eleanor Fitzsimmons, Franciska Treiliha, Clodagh O’Brien, and Aoibhinn Walsh all playing valuable minutes on both ends of the floor. Lina Moley Stolz capped off a fantastic shooting night with a dazzling step-back three, while Aoibhinn Walsh and Franciska Treiliha added the final touches to Trinity’s dominant performance.
While celebrating the victory, Coach Nets acknowledged that the team’s focus would soon shift to their next challenges: “The college setup is a difficult one to keep momentum going due to the small number of games, but the girls are very much looking forward to competing at Varsities. Our professional team is having a good season, so our main focus is pushing to secure a Super League title. Varsities and Colours are pushed to the back of our priority list for now.”
A massive congratulations to the team and coaching staff for this incredible achievement! With the Division 1 Varsities Trophy defense and Colours on the horizon, Trinity’s women will look to carry this championship-winning form forward.