Friday 13 February 2026
Maigh Cuilinn 34 – 54 Claregalway
Knocknacarra Community Centre

Maigh Cuilinn welcomed league leaders Claregalway to Knocknacarra Community Centre knowing both the scale of the challenge and exactly what was at stake in their Women’s BIDL encounter on Valentine’s weekend. A win on the night would have secured a playoff place, but standing in the way was the benchmark side in the Women’s BIDL, arriving with a perfect 6–0 record and a wealth of experience. The team were hoping to kick off a big weekend for the club and the first of the Galway derbies, with the Men’s team playing Titans in the National League the following evening.

While the scoreboard ultimately favoured the visitors, the contest represented another valuable chapter in what has already been an outstanding first season at this level for Maigh Cuilinn. Claregalway showed from the outset why they sit top of the group. Packed with experience, they boast Irish Masters Over 45s internationals Georgina Ní Hása and Mary Cunniffe, current Irish Masters Over 40s squad member Michelle Canavan, former NCAA Division I player Hannah Coen, and Galway inter-county camogie star Ailish O’Reilly. This core has dominated Galway league basketball for years and reached the BIDL Finals in both 2023 and 2024, and that pedigree was evident throughout.

Maigh Cuilinn went into the contest as underdogs and were further disrupted by the absence of key personnel. Julie-Ann Russell was unavailable due to illness, while Eabheann Connelly and Aoibhín Connolly were also sidelined. The loss of Russell at point guard proved particularly significant. Her control and tempo are central to Maigh Cuilinn’s signature high-pace transition game, and without her on the floor Claregalway were able to dictate the rhythm from early on. The visitors made a strong start, racing into a 12–4 first-quarter lead and setting the tone with composed offense and disciplined defense.

Maigh Cuilinn responded with real defensive intensity, holding Claregalway to their lowest scoring total of the league campaign, but on the offensive end a lack of experience and maturity at crucial moments made it difficult to convert stops into scores.

Lily Hynes and Leah Cunningham worked tirelessly to keep the scoreboard ticking, but as the game wore on Claregalway’s depth and experience began to tell, punishing mistakes to carry a double-digit advantage into halftime.

To Maigh Cuilinn’s credit, there was no lack of effort or belief. Hynes led the scoring with 9 points, showing real grit, while Leah Cunningham added 8 and Justine Gadioux chipped in with 6, including a big three-pointer that briefly lifted the home crowd. Claregalway, however, always seemed to have an answer. Ailish O’Reilly finished with a game-high 16 points, supported by Hannah Coen (10), Georgina Ní Hása (9) and Helen Moran (6), as the visitors stretched their lead to as much as 24 points.

The final quarter saw both teams trade baskets, but Claregalway’s control never wavered, closing out a 54–34 win that underlined why they remain unbeaten. Despite the result, Maigh Cuilinn can hold their heads high after what has been an incredible and historic debut season in the Women’s BIDL. Facing arguably the most experienced squad in the league, and doing so with key players missing, this game was another valuable learning experience for a group that has shown they belong at this level.

Three wins from seven games, along with a loss by the narrowest of margins against Athlone, meant a playoff place ultimately slipped away by a whisker’s breadth. Nevertheless, the foundations are firmly in place, the progress is clear, and with a full roster and another year of growth and experience, there is plenty more to come from this Maigh Cuilinn side next season.

Lily Hynes (9), Leah Cunningham (8), Orla Cunningham (6), Justine Gaidoux (6), Sarah Folan (2), Romy Cunningham (2), Lara Flynn (1), Muireann Elliman, Jenny McDonagh, Siobhan Doran, Ellen Walsh

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