With typical rattle and hum the ESB Cup Finals weekend opened up last night with the first of the women's semi-finals. For a long while Killester looked troubled but they eventually wore down a more limited Mercy, Coolock by 61-51.

Killester thus return to the National Arena in Tallaght tomorrow in an effort to win their first Cup honour. For first division Mercy, the only non-league side to progress this far, there can be little regret about their effort.

At the most crucial point in the game Mercy put themselves in a position to win. They led 43-41 going into the final quarter and didn't look like tiring either. Then the wheels fell off one by one, and Killester pulled comfortably clear.

Crucial to that turnaround was Vanessa Burke, who not only looked the part but hit three successive three-pointers that destroyed the hopes of her Dublin neighbours. They soon opened a 58-48 advantage and with that the first final place was sealed.

Killester will now meet the winners of this evening's meeting between Tolka Rovers and the University of Limerick and with an extra day's rest in the legs they appear well capable of winning the outright honour.

The first half passed nervously by, with Killester apparently fearful of the intimidating physique of the Mercy team. However, Emma Pierce hit some sweet three-pointers in the first quarter, helping Killester establish an 18-14 lead by the end of the quarter.

Mercy levelled it again soon after through the hard-working Niamh McEvoy before a run of baskets from Gillian Ennis and Emer Brophy restored Killester's advantage at the break, leaving them 30-25 in front at the breather.

The Irish senior men, meanwhile, had to compromise their final preparations for this afternoon's European Championship semi-final round game with Bosnia at the Arena (3.0). After a five-hour delay on Thursday on the way home from the win over Cyprus, the news then came that their baggage had been mislaid.

Yesterday's final practice at the Arena had to take place with the squad members in their street clothes.

DART KILLESTER: H Maynard, L Grennell, C Fenton, E Brophy (5), E Pierce (16), V Burke (22), C Kissane (7), S Kennedy, S Vaughan (3), G Ennis (8), O Canty.

MERCY COOLOCK: N McEvoy (19), S Whiston, S McEvoy, N Foley (2), P Grogan, L Peat (12), L Tormey, V Ronnin, E Curran (12), J Collins (6).