A precocious individual performance by the newest star of Irish women's basketball effectively turned around Naomh Mhuire's mid-game sagging fortunes in this first semi-final of the Sprite Cup. Seventeen-year-old Denise Walsh from Kerry was top scorer with 21 points and this was only part of her contribution to Mhuire's survival in this torrid test against their arch Dublin rivals, Tolka. Walsh's distribution and quick-footed defence were other outstanding attributes especially when the game came down to a tense closing five minutes.

Mhuire had started the match so well that Tolka got left behind in the first quarter during which Walsh was outstanding. After 10 minutes, Mhuire led 19-8 but then lost all impetus as Tolka tightened the defence and gained confidence in offence to take a 32-31 half-time lead.

Tolka prospered further in the third quarter to lead 48-39 with 10 minutes to go but then Mhuire managed to rouse themselves to score nine points in a row to level the match and so set up a thrilling basket-for-basket climax. With just over two minutes left, the sides were tied again at 56-all and then Mhuire broke clear into a five-point lead which was initiated by a wonderful length of the court lay-up from Walsh followed by a three-pointer by Donna Roche.