Eagles impress in debut season
McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles brought a highly encouraging first Women’s Super League campaign to a close at the quarter-final stage, falling to reigning cup champions and league leaders Killester in Clontarf.
The Eagles secured seven wins along the way, including notable victories over established sides such as Brunell, Waterford Wildcats and Meteors, underlining their ability to compete at this level. They comfortably qualified for the playoffs and steered clear of the relegation battle, which ultimately saw Fr Mathews demoted.
Drawn away to Killester, the task was always going to be a difficult one. Travelling to the IWA in Clontarf, the Eagles embraced the challenge with an opportunity to test themselves against the top team in the country.
The contest got off to a difficult start, with Killester dominating the opening quarter 18-3. American Samantha Haiby led the early charge for the hosts, hitting two three-pointers on her way to eight first-quarter points. Facing an early deficit, the Eagles responded with the resilience that has been a hallmark of their season.
Cavan produced an excellent second quarter, outscoring their opponents and working their way back into the game. Niamh Tolan led the charge with 10 points in the period, helping to reduce the deficit to 32-24 by half-time.
Killester responded in the third quarter with a strong 9-0 run to re-establish control, with Americans Audrey Roden and Haiby continuing to contribute. Despite this, the Eagles remained competitive throughout.
A late push from Cavan, including a 12-point run in the final quarter, briefly threatened a comeback, but Killester held firm to secure a 61-50 victory. Ieva Bagdanaviciene’s double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds proved influential in sealing the win for the home side.
For the Eagles, there were a number of strong individual performances. Captain Niamh Tolan led the scoring with 17 points, while Sophie Staunton added 12 points, including three from beyond the arc, continuing her impressive debut Super League season ahead of her move to Division 1 college basketball in New Jersey.
Katie O’Sullivan delivered a determined display, controlling play and collecting 12 rebounds, while Ciara Tolan showed encouraging form following her return from injury. Alex Mulligan made an impact at both ends of the floor, while Soleil Barnes contributed eight important points. Mazzie Harris battled hard but was limited at times by foul trouble.
The strength of this Eagles side has been its collective effort throughout the season. Ciara Brady made a significant impact off the bench, particularly with her defensive work and contribution in attack. Caitlin Carroll, Leah Kelly-Flynn and Omotese Osunde Okperan also gained valuable experience at this level, highlighting the depth within the squad.
While the playoff journey ends here, it has been a season of real progress for Cavan Eagles. With a solid foundation now in place, attention will turn to building on this year’s achievements and continuing that upward trajectory next season.