Ballincollig Edge Advance to MSL National Cup Final
- Ballincollig defeated Limerick Celtics 70-67 in overtime at Neptune Stadium on Friday, advancing to their second Domino's MSL National Cup final in three years.
- The match at Neptune Stadium in Cork was a tense encounter from the start.
- Williams' impact was evident as he scored the next six points for Celtics, giving them a 58-52 lead with 3.5 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
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Ballincollig Secure National Cup Final Spot with Overtime Win Over Limerick Celtics
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Ballincollig defeated Limerick Celtics 70-67 in overtime at Neptune Stadium on Friday, advancing to their second Domino’s MSL National Cup final in three years. The game was a back-and-forth affair, ultimately decided in the extra period by clutch shooting from Ballincollig.
Published January 3, 2026, at 01:52 AM PST
Game Recap: A Tightly Contested battle
The match at Neptune Stadium in Cork was a tense encounter from the start. Ballincollig initially took an early lead,with josh Steel contributing two three-point shots,establishing a 11-5 advantage. However, Limerick Celtics responded strongly, especially through AJ Williams, who found his rhythm and began to drive his team forward.
Williams’ impact was evident as he scored the next six points for Celtics, giving them a 58-52 lead with 3.5 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The game remained closely contested, with Adrian O’Sullivan’s free throws tying the score at 64-64 with 1’47 left on the clock.
A driving layup by Williams briefly put Celtics ahead, but a missed free throw allowed Mitchell to tie the game at 66-66 with 36.6 seconds remaining. Despite opportunities for both teams in regulation, neither could secure a decisive advantage, forcing the game into overtime.
Overtime Drama and Ballincollig’s Victory
The overtime period saw Mitchell convert a pair of free throws, bringing his total to a game-high 31 points and giving Ballincollig a narrow lead. The final moments were particularly dramatic, with Latrell Jossell extending Ballincollig’s lead to three points with just 4.7 seconds left.
Limerick Celtics had one last chance, but AJ Williams’ three-point attempt at the buzzer rimmed out, sealing the 70-67 victory for Ballincollig.
Key Players and Statistics
Mitchell led all scorers with 31 points for Ballincollig. latrell Jossell contributed crucial points in the final seconds. For Limerick Celtics, AJ Williams was the primary offensive threat.
| Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell | Ballincollig | 31 |
| AJ Williams | Limerick Celtics | Data unavailable in source text |
| Latrell Jossell | Ballincollig | Data unavailable in source text |
| Adrian O’Sullivan | Limerick Celtics | Data unavailable in source text |