Cork basketball clubs bounce into National Cup finals

PRIDE of the National Cup basketball weekend goes to Brunell who will have their U18, U20 and Super League teams competing in the finals at the National Basketball Arena on January 19-21.

To top of off, it will be an all-Cork pairing in the two biggest National Cup finals at basketball headquarters when UCC Demons and Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig will clash in the Pat Duffy Men’s National Cup decider.

Much the same in the Paudie O’Connor Women’s final with Gurranbraher Credit Union Brunell facing southside rivals Catalyst Fr Mathew’s with both clubs seeking their first win in this championship.

The greatest rivalry in Irish basketball continued on Friday last with UCC Demons claiming the bragging rights after overtime against their old rivals Energywise Ireland.

In the first half, it looked like Neptune were going to give Demons a pasting when the shooting of Jordan Blount (18 points) broke their hearts and gave them a healthy 12-point lead.

Demons were basically all over the shop in that period and didn’t play with any kind of intensity that’s needed at this level.

The strange issue in the second half was that Blount had only five points but to be fair he was well-guarded by Tala Fam. In my book Blount is an outstanding player but he needs to mix up his game more and only then will Neptune benefit.

OUTSHONE

Speaking about professionals Neptune’s Americans Derek Murphy and Andrew Gardner had a poor evening at the office and most definitely when the game hung in the balance, they were outshone by the Demons professionals Seventh Woods and Elijah Tillman.

In the case of Woods, he basically took over the game in overtime giving an exhibition that ultimately sealed Neptune’s fate.

Tilliman only arrived in Cork on St Stephen’s Day and although looking a little ring rusty in their Super League win over Moycullen he looked a different player in this crucial game. Indeed, they were many heroes for Demons with James Hannigan, Kyle Hosford, David Lehane and James Beckom all playing significant roles in this win.

The second Men’s semi-final was also an epic encounter with a Keelan Cairns buzzer-beater ensuring Ballincollig a place in the final against UCC Demons.

Ballincollig looked home and hosed in the third quarter when they surged into a 17-point lead but when you have Kieran Donaghy in your team the one guarantee you have is the term: 'No surrender'.

Tralee will rue not getting into the Ballincollig faces earlier as when they increased their intensity the Cork side looked vulnerable. 

The game looked to be going to overtime but Cairns' last-gasp shot brought ecstatic scenes at the Blackpool venue.

It would have been an injustice if Ballincollig had lost but one must have a tinge of sympathy for the 40-year-old Donaghy whose display was worth the admission fee alone.

Catalyst Fr Mathew’s were raging underdogs against Liffey Celtics, but they made a mockery of that tag with a stunning display that saw them run out 71-67 winners. Niamh Dwyer rolled back the years with a stunning display and with her fellow veteran sister Grainne also playing a pivotal role winning a cup medal at this stage of their careers would be a dream come true.

Ballincollig were hoping to secure to double berth in the finals, but their U20 Men’s side came up short losing 78-72 to Galway side Titans and Neptune also lost out in NICC Men’s semi-final to Eanna going down 81-67.

On a final note let's pay tribute to the three clubs Neptune, Brunell and Ballincollig for their professionalism in hosting these semi-finals.