Galway’s Tribes made history by securing their first-ever Women’s Irish Senior Water Polo Cup title, defeating St. Vincent’s in a high-quality final that marked a repeat of the 2025 decider.
In the Men’s final, North Dublin delivered a dominant performance to defeat Galway’s Corrib 15–7, claiming the Irish Senior Cup for the first time since 2017.
After narrowly missing out last year, Tribes returned with clear intent, delivering a composed and confident performance to overturn the 2025 result and claim a landmark 7–4 victory.
The Galway side led from the outset, with goals from Aoife Bundschu, Iona McDonnell and Laura Casserly establishing early control, while St. Vincent’s replied through Kate Hynes.
Casserly continued to shine, completing a hat-trick with further scores in the second and fourth quarters, while Rachel Corcoran added two crucial goals in the third to extend Tribes’ advantage.
Despite efforts from Aine Hennessy and Cliona Colvin, St. Vincent’s were unable to close the gap, as Tribes held firm to seal a historic win.
St. Vincent’s Zoe O’Brien was named tournament MVP and was selected on the Team of the Tournament alongside teammates Aoife Hennessy, Cliona Colvin, and Lucy Kelly, as well as Tribes players Niamh Connery, Laura Casserly and Aoife Bundschu.
In the Men’s Final, North Dublin set the tone early, racing into a 6–1 first-quarter lead through goals from James Reid, Barry Nolan, Paul McMenamin, Paul Laffan and two from Luka Vuksic, with Corrib’s only response coming from Urtzi Saenz de Urturi.
Corrib battled back with scores from Austin Murphy, Daehan Coll and Adam Tiszttarto, but North Dublin maintained control, responding through Ciaran Cope, David Sadleir, and Vuksic.
Further goals from Murphy, Coll and Tiszttarto kept Corrib in contention in the second half, but North Dublin showed no signs of slowing, with additional scores from David Casado Lopez, Vuksic, Sadleir and Fionnan McMenamin sealing a comprehensive victory.
James Reid was named tournament MVP and was included on the Team of the Tournament alongside teammates Barry Nolan, Ciaran Cope and Luka Vuksic, as well as Corrib’s Austin Murphy, St. Vincent’s Matthew Hynes, and Drogheda’s Aidan Mullaney.
Results – Saturday 23rd May 2026
Women
Semi Final 1 St. Vincents 16 v 2 Cathal Brugha
Semi Final 2 Tribes 6 v 2 North Dublin
Final Tribes 7 v 4 St. Vincents
Men
Semi Final 1 Corrib 15 v 14 Cathal Brugha
Semi Final 2 St. Vincents 8 v 11 North Dublin
Final Corrib 7 v 15 North Dublin
Women’s Team of the tournament:
- Niamh Connery (Tribes WPC)
- Aoife Hennessy (St. Vincents WPC)
- Cliona Colvin (St. Vincents WPC)
- Aoife Bundschu (Tribes WPC)
- Laura Casserly (Tribes WPC)
- Lucy Kelly (St. Vincents WPC)
- Zoe O'Brien (St. Vincents WPC)
Women’s Bert O’Brien MVP of the tournament: Zoe O'Brien (St. Vincents)
Men’s Team of the tournament:
- Aidan Mullaney (Drogheda WPC)
- Austin Murphy (Corrib WPC)
- Barry Nolan (North Dublin WSC)
- Luka Vuksic (North Dublin WSC)
- James Reid (North Dublin WSC)
- Matthew Hynes (St. Vincents WPC)
- Jame Cope (North Dublin WSC)
Men’s Shane Moraghan MVP of the tournament: James Reid (North Dublin)
Colin Hedderman Young Player of the Year was also awarded to Daniel Egan (St. Vincents WPC)
Featured Photo ©INPHO/Bryan Keane
