Sprite Cup Finals 2000 Wildcats regain Cup supremacy
The women's Sprite Cup is destined for Waterford for the second time in three years but it was a close run thing before Snowcream Wildcats nudged past Meteors 52-51 in a thrilling final in Dublin.
The 1998 winners had to work hard to get back into the game after trailing 23-27 at half-time with eventual MVP Karen Hennessy leading Meteors into the better start.
However eventually the experienced south-eastern side regained their composure and re-took the advantage when Hennessy was sidelined with an ankle injury, as Jillian Hayes blasted her way towards a game-high 19 points as the final swung Wildcats' way.
Meteors bravely rallied as four points from Gillian Morris and a Sinead Harvey three pointer left the Sandyford outfit seven points in front. Yet despite the fouling out of Hayes, Wildcats rallied to tie the game at 50-50.
But the ultimate heroics went to Mary Fitzpatrick. Making history by playing along side daughter Kim, the veteran sank a vital shot with just over a minute remaining and when Ann-Marie Kyne missed one of her two late foul shots, it was all over.
Meteors: Karen Hennessy 18, Gillian Morris 11, Ciara Harvey/Sinead Harvey 6
Waterford: Jillian Hayes 19, Michelle Aspel 9
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