2025 CELTIC CUP: DAY FIVE RECAP
2nd December 2025
The Uganda She Cranes are the 2025 Celtic Cup Champions after completing an undefeated week at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. They secured the title with a convincing display in their final match against Wales to complete a 5-0 week as they look to push back up the world rankings.
Namibia vs Northern Ireland
The final day of the Celtic Cup got underway with the Namibia Desert Jewels claiming 5th place in the final standings after defeating the Northern Ireland Warriors 43-39. The match featured determined and gritty defence from both sides throughout and a low-scoring affair ensued.
Namibia had the better start of the two, leading 11-7 at the quarter break despite a high turnover count for both teams. Monica Gomases and Caroline O’Hanlon engaged in a tight battle at C while the respective shooters Orlaith Rogers (NI) and Uendjisevera Kangumine (Nam) were both accurate when the chances presented themselves.
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The second quarter saw both teams reduce their errors and the scoreboard ticked along more swiftly. A 14-11 quarter for Namibia saw them grab a 25-18 lead at the long break and set themselves up nicely for their first win of the tournament.
The Warriors had other ideas though and they put the clamps on defensively in the third, holding Namibia to just the four goals for the quarter as the back three of Niamh Cooper, Michelle Magee and Lauren Walshe did a magnificent job of restricting opportunities and corralling rebounds. The surge left the game evenly poised at 30-29 with one quarter to play.
With tensions running high and both teams throwing everything they had left in the tank, the final period had everything. Drama, suspensions, intercepts, athletics play and hustle through to the final whistle. It was Namibia who finished with the momentum. Led by their inspirational captain, GK and player of the match Cornelia Mupenda who secured a key gain late for Namibia to convert and seal their first win of the week.
Shooting Stats:
Northern Ireland
Orlaith Rogers 25/28, Georgie McGrath 9/10, Emma Magee 5/6.
Namibia
Uendjisuvera Kangumine 33/37, Elisia Hambongo 2/3, Loide Kanyolo 8/10.
Wales vs Uganda
The Uganda She Cranes are 2025 Celtic Cup Champions after completing an undefeated week in Glasgow with a 70-48 victory over the sixth ranked Welsh Feathers.
Coming into the tournament eager to climb back up the world rankings the She Cranes were off to a slow start, conceding a 10-5 lead to the Welsh side who were crisp with their passing and accurate on goal via Georgia Rowe and Zoe Matthewman. The Cranes have been the form team of the week though and they settled into their work quickly with Mary Cholhok the target, it created additional space for GA Shadia Nassanga who continued her superb shooting at the tournament. Despite the sluggish start the She Cranes led 17-15 at the break.
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The second quarter followed a similar script, with Uganda dominating from start to finish. A 20-10 quarter resulting in a 37-25 lead at the long break. WD Shaffie Nalwanja and C Margaret Bagaala controlled the pace of play beautifully for their side and they were well on their way to the title.
The third quarter saw changes for the Feathers with Middleton and Morgan switching defensively while Emanuel rejoined at centre. The frenetic pace saw teams trade goals on the most part throughout and the margin hovered around 12-14 goals. It was tough for the Feathers to put a real dent in the margin as the last break approached as Uganda took a 54-39 lead into their final quarter of the week.
Nansi Kuti replaced Rowe at GS for the Welsh while Uganda remained unchanged for a third straight quarter with their only change for the match being Achola at WA at the commencement of the second quarter. Despite the best efforts of the Feathers they were unable to bridge the sizeable gap and the Uganda She Cranes were worthy champions. Player of the match Ugandan GA Shadia Nassanga finished the tournament shooting a remarkable 91% on 117 goals.
Shooting Stats:
Uganda
Mary Cholhok 44/51, Shadia Nassanga 24/25, Specioza Namukose 2/2.
Wales
Georgia Rowe 26/26, Zoe Matthewman 5/6, Phillipa Yarranton 5/7, Nansi Kuti 12/13.
Scotland vs Zimbabwe
An even opening quarter saw the teams trade goals back and forth at a frenetic pace which also resulted in some turnover ball for both teams. The Thistles forged ahead through precision feeds from WA Iona Christian off the back of a pair of intercepts from GK Cerys Finn however Zimbabwe refused to go away quietly and stayed with striking distance at 13-10 heading to the first break.
Changes only for Zimbabwe to commence the second with Takadanaishe Zimusi coming in at WD. It did little to stem the flow the Thistles were establishing however as they extended their lead to double figures just five minutes in. The Gems showed their determination in putting together a three goal run of their own to reduce the margin back to seven as half time approached. A quarter of fluctuating fortunes changed again when the Thistles finished with a withering burst to take the quarter 19-7 and a comfortable 32-17 lead at the main break.
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The third quarter saw the game continue to ebb and flow and the margin remained comfortable for the Thistles. Evie Watts entered proceedings at WA for Scotland and Zimbabwe introduced Thandazile Ndhlovu at GS. The Gems aerial game was slowed down by the back three of Emily Nicholl, Cerys Finn and Hannah Grant and come the midway point Lexy Gillies gave Grant a well earned rest. Cerys Cairns came on at GA and the teams traded goals again right up to the final break with the score line showing 46-30 to Scotland.
The Gems stuck with the same line, while the Thistles brought Rachel Conway at GK, shifted Hannah Leighton to WD, moved Gillies to C and included Bethan Goodwin at GS. The second quarter outburst from the Thistles proved to be the major difference between the two teams, with the margin staying steady throughout. Full credit to the Gems who won the final quarter 15-9, it was the Thistles who snared the victory though 55-45.
Shooting Stats:
Scotland
Emma Barrie 32/34, Niamh McCall 14/23, Cerys Cairns 6/11, Bethan Goodwin 3/3.
Zimbabwe
Thandazile Ndhlovu 25/26, Sharon Bwanali 4/4, Ursula Ndlovu 5/6, Nicole Muzanenhamo 3/3. Nalani Makunde 8/9
