Trinity's women basketball team celebrate their third D1 varsity win, April 2026. Credit: Hillary Nets.
On Easter weekend, Trinity Basketball’s Women’s Varsity team defended their NBCC D1 Women’s Varsity Title for a third consecutive year with a dominant, undefeated tournament run. The 74th edition of the Basketball Intervarsity Tournament was held in the UL Arena in Limerick on 3-5 April 2026.
Group Stage
Sean Mulligan’s side was drawn into Pool 2 alongside UCC, UL and DCU. Trinity opened their campaign against the hosts in an early Friday morning fixture. Facing a significantly strengthened Limerick side from their previous league semi-final encounter, including Irish International Sarah Hickey, TCD were tested early. However, a strong second quarter performance led by Trinity Sport Scholars Ava Learn and Hazel Finn helped establish a double-digit lead by halftime. The 3rd quarter saw a major scoring burst from the South Dublin side, with Avelina Moley Stoltz, Ríona Grealy, Ava Learn and Franciska Treiliha all contributing. Trinity eventually secured a comfortable 70-53 victory.
Later that evening, Trinity faced UCC. The backcourt duo of Hazel Finn and Franciska Treiliha led the way, combining for 35 points as TCD claimed a 57-44 win. A dominant opening three quarters allowed Trinity to build a strong cushion before easing off slightly in the fourth allowing UCC to narrow the margin. With two double-digit victories, Trinity secured a semi-final place with a game to spare.
TCD rounded off the group stage against DCU on Saturday morning. An outstanding first quarter saw Trinity pour in 29 points as DCU struggled to keep pace with TCD’s high-paced offence. The game highlighted the depth of the squad, with nine players getting on the scoresheet and five reaching double figures including fresher Caoimhe Gilligan. Despite DCU outscoring Trinity in the second half, TCD closed out a 72-60 win.
Semifinal
Trinity faced their toughest test in a gritty semi-final against rivals UCD on Saturday evening. The experienced duo of Finn and Learn once again stepped up, combining for 37 points. UCD impressed defensively and showcased balanced scoring, with four players hitting double figures. Leading by just two points entering the fourth quarter, Trinity delivered in the key moments, making crucial plays on both ends to secure a hard-fought seven-point victory.
Final
On Easter morning, Trinity faced UCC once again in the NBCC D1 Varsity Final. Trinity’s depth proved decisive, with five players scoring in double figures. In her final game for the college, captain and 5thyear veteran Ciara Mulligan made a huge impact early, scoring nine first-quarter points to give TCD control. A three-point barrage followed, with Treiliha, Finn, Learn and Shelley all hitting from deep. While UCC remained competitive through three quarters, Trinity’s offensive firepower proved too much. A dominant final quarter outburst led by Bree Shelley and an exceptional defensive display that limited UCC to just six points, saw Trinity run out 73-49 winners.
Scenes of celebration followed as Ciara Mulligan lifted the NBCC D1 Varsity trophy for a third consecutive year. Franciska Treiliha was named Finals MVP for her 15-point performance and all-round impact, while Hazel Finn and Ava Learn earned Tournament All-Stars honours. Following the disappointing league final defeat to Griffith College in March, the Varsity triumph marked a fitting end to the season and cemented Trinity’s place as a dominant in Irish women’s college basketball.
Credit: Hillary Nets.
Squad Members: #4 Lisa Blaney, #5 Avelina Moley Stoltz, #7 Rebecca Schmidt, #8 Bree Shelley, #9 Ríona Grealy, #10 Caoimhe Gilligan, #11 Ciara Mulligan (C), #12 Hazel Finn, #13 Franciska Treiliha, #14 Ava Learn, #15 Eleanor Fitzsimons, #20 Aoibhin Dunne
Head Coach: Sean Mulligan
Team Members: Jodi Geaney, Aisling Courtney, Ava Darcy, Aimée Flynn, Emma Mullins, Hannah Murphy
Further information
Final recap: https://universitytimes.ie/2026/04/trinity-complete-historic-three-peat-with-dominant-varsity-final-win/