UCC Demons pulled off one of the greatest-ever National Cup runs

IT'S remarkable to think, now they've won the National Cup in such terrific style, that UCC Demons were forced to opt out of the Super League only four years ago.

The same season that newcomers Ballincollig sealed promotion to the top flight, Demons were at a crossroads. They felt they had no option but to take a break from the national league. Covid saw the 2020-'21 campaign called off, so they didn't actually miss any action, but when Demons opted back in they had to start all over in Division 1.

That reboot was a bold call by the committee in the storied northside club that reaped a brilliant reward. They came straight back up and added the President's Cup for good measure.

And now this. Their eighth Pat Duffy National Cup victory, and first since 2015, is up there with their greatest ever.

They got revenge at the National Basketball Arena on a Ballincollig team that knocked them out of last year's Super League playoffs on home turf, having beaten the old enemy Neptune two weeks ago in overtime. 

In the previous round, they took down holders Maree and favourites Belfast Star... as impressive a run as we've ever seen in the famous competition.

This final, played with great intensity from the off in front of a raucous crowd at a packed arena, didn't go their way early on. The first seven shots from both clubs resulted in made baskets but with Shawndale Jones Jr on song, Ballincollig were 18-9 ahead after six minutes. 

Only Elijah Tillman was keeping Demons ticking over with his power in the post.

Head coach Danny O'Mahony didn't panic. After a time-out, they'd trimmed the gap by the end of the first quarter and went in at half-time, having given up 20 points to Jones, down by just four.

ON FIRE

The second half was the stuff of dreams. James Hannigan, who made the switch from Neptune to get more game-time, and James Beckom, returning from a lengthy spell Stateside, were difference-makers, especially when American point guard Seventh Woods was in foul trouble.

Demons' defensive ferocity took the ball out of the hands of Jones and Andre Nation and made it very difficult for the Village to get to the rim. Demons were willing to give Nikola Roso looks from deep and hunted in packs when anyone drove into the paint. The tradeoff was giving up free-throws but even when knocking those down, Collig couldn't generate sufficient momentum.

David Lehane, Kyle Hosford, Tala Fam Thiam and Carelton Cuff worked like dogs at both ends of the court.

The Demons crowd was vocal, passionate and knew the cup was within their grasp. That made a difference. They streaked out into a 12-point lead after a glorious swish from Woods beyond the arc.

Ballincollig did threaten a late comeback, Adrian O'Sullivan hustled and forced a couple of turnovers. When Keelan Cairns got open in the corner, a three would have made it a three-point game with just over two minutes to go but it rattled around the iron and wouldn't drop.

From the subsequent rebound, Tillman put the game to bed with a lay-up.

The closing minute ticked down with the Demons faithful celebrating a victory for the ages.