Portlaoise undone by Notre Dame in Masters National Cup opener

Portlaoise Panthers 44 

Notre Dame 69 

PORTLAOISE Panthers face a must-win game against Neptune if they are to keep alive their hopes of securing further passage in this season’s Over 40s Women’s Masters National Cup.

The team, which is made up of a mix of players from both the Portlaoise Division One and Two teams, put up a big fight, but lost out 69-44 to a strong Notre Dame side in the opening game of the round robin phase in this competition, which was held in St. Mary’s CBS last Tuesday night.

The Dublin side took a nine-point lead into the half-time break, and while Portlaoise did edge the third quarter by the narrowest of margins, reducing their arrears to just two points at one stage, they were outgunned by 17 in the fourth.

Catherine Ashe did record another strong showing on offence for the hosts, while Lisa Farrell also shot very well, but it was not enough to surmount a Notre Dame side for whom Niamh Foley registered some timely baskets and Miriam Liston drained some big outside shots in the closing quarter.

At the other end of the court, Notre Dame’s Cathy Molloy played a good defensive game, helping to deny Portlaoise a way back into contention down the stretch.

“Notre Dame are a very good team. We've met them plenty of times in the past. They're very good players and they just had a bit too much for us on the night” she said.

The defeat means, Panthers will need to surmount a strong Neptune team when they make the trip to Cork on Saturday next, 14 February for their second and final pool fixture.

Ashe is anticipating another severe test this month, telling the Laois Nationalist: “Neptune will be excellent. There’s a combination of two clubs down there, so that’s going to be another tough game.” While Portlaoise will have to produce a big performance in order to remain in contention for this season’s Over 40s Masters Cup, they do boast a strong record in the competition.

Indeed, they won the title back in 2022 when they beat Cork Neptune in the final before losing out to the same opposition in the title decider the following year.

PORTLAOISE PANTHERS: Claire Foyle, Marie Ramsbottom, Ailish McLernon, Deirdre Tomlinson, Grainne Tomlinson, Catriona Mulhare, Catherine Ashe, Lisa Farrell, Attracta Phelan, Ann-Marie Troy.

NOTRE DAME: Miriam Liston, Melika Djemi, Sandra Ahearn, Nessa Davey, Niamh Foley, Aine Kelly, Sheena Tobin, Edel McGreal, Gemma Fagan, Cathy Molloy.