UCC Demons must produce season's best to beat Killester and retain National Cup

UCC Demons will be bidding for a record ninth Pat Duffy Men’s National Cup title when they play Dublin side Killester at the National Basketball Arena on Saturday night at 8pm

Demons will go into the game as underdogs with Killester looking the most talented side in the country this season.

The semi-finals were two contrasting games with Demons huffing and puffing in their 91-77 win over Sligo All Stars who lost American Rob Montgomery in the days leading up to the game with a hamstring injury.

Killester were superb in their semi-final when easily disposing of fellow Dublin side Eanna 93-74.

Demons looked good in the opening quarter and at one stage in the first half looked to be coasting with a 20-point lead before going into meltdown in the second half.

The one plus is that Demons never looked likely to lose as they looked a side in second gear and coach Danny O’Mahony is confident his side will show a better side to their game in this final.

“Look last season we defeated the best sides in the country and in my book, I know we have it in us to compete with any side particularly when it comes to a cup final,” O’Mahony said.

Demons last season brought down quality sides like Maree, Belfast Star and Ballincollig down in this championship and O’Mahony is aware that Killester will be a difficult match-up.

We are going in as underdogs but that’s okay too as Killester are presently table toppers in the Super League and are playing the most explosive basketball with serious pace.

“It’s down to us to find a way to nullify them and I firmly believe we have the players to match them if we find our best form on the big stage,” added O’Mahony.

Elijah Tillman the big Demons centre will no doubt be double teamed by Killester and that will give Demons some looks at the hoop.

Danish ace Toby Christensen is playing steady basketball and his defensive qualities will need to be sharp in this final.

For the first time since James Hannigan joined the club from Neptune, he failed to register a basket.

Credit to Hannigan he has led the way in the scoring charts in many games for his club and no doubt he will get some good looks against Killester on a court he produced many scintillating displays on over the years.

Indeed, another Hannigan in the shape of twin brother Scott hit 22 points the last time these teams clashed in the Super League that Killester won 97-87. Like James, Scott is a warrior on court and that type of player will be needed against a Killester side that are quick in transition.

Killester have a serious American duo in Kason Harrell and Isiah Dasher who both finished with 21 points each in the semi-final win against Eanna.

The speed of both players is electric and their ability to shoot three-pointers at will is a problem for every team they compete against on a weekly basis.

Coach O’Mahony knows the quality of this Killester side but one Irish player could prove a bigger headache for Demons.

Paul Dick is very talented and has been Killester’s key man this season. If Demons are to win, they will have to restrict him and keep him in the 16-point range.

The Dublin side also have a decent Bosman in Baptiste Chazelas and he muscled Tillman hard at the post in the league game. 

BIG-GAME PLAYERS

On the plus side for Demons, they have the experienced Kyle Hosford, who is some player to have in the trenches when in battle.

Hosford also loves playing on the big stage and captain Dave Lehane playing with the club since he was a six-year-old would like nothing better than to lead his team to a national championship at this level.

Killester are hot favourites but it would be foolish to write off a Demons team who are seeking their ninth National Cup title at this level.