Adam Drummond leads Rebel Wheelers to six IWA National Cup titles in a row

Rebel Wheelers 81 

Ballybrack Bulls 46 

Rebel Wheelers made it six in a row in the IWA National Cup basketball championship with a comfortable win over Ballybrack Bulls at the National Basketball Arena at Tallaght on Friday.

Plenty of stars for the winners but for the former Neptune irish International Adam Drummond picking up his third medal it was an emotional occasion as he also picked up his second MVP finishing with a game high 27 points.

Last year in his second appearance in this IWA final he finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

“I suppose on each occasion that I step into the National Basketball Arena it saddens me because I tend to look back on the great years I had with Neptune before my accident in 2021,” Drummond said.

The former Neptune ace believes positivity is a must following his accident and joining up with the Wheelers was crucial to him.

“I am not going to tell you it is easy but if I am down one day making sure the following day is not identical is crucial but look this win is about a great bunch of lads who were winning titles before I joined up with them,” added Drummond.

It was fitting Drummond would start with a neat baseline shot but Ballybrack responded immediately with a similar Valene Ryan basket.

Credit to both teams they were playing high tempo basketball but suddenly the Wheelers got a run and when Conor Coughlan finished a beautiful move in the sixth minute, they surged into a 14-4 lead.

The closing exchanges to the break saw the Wheelers make a few rotations and the Bulls came roaring back and entering the second quarter the deficit was reduced to five points 18-13.

A basket on the restart from Jason Ryan and the lead was down to three points but Drummond back into the action nailed a basket on the next possession.

In the opening three minutes it was the Drummond show as he took his total to 13 points in the 14th minute.

Dylan McCarthy was another player to make a huge contribution from the bench draining three baskets and midway the quarter their lead increased to 16 points.

Little changed in the closing minutes to the break as the Wheelers maintained a 16-point cushion at the break 43-27.

Derek Hegarty one of the stalwarts of this Wheelers side gave them the perfect start with a neat basket.

In the opening two minutes the Wheelers although sitting down a few of their starting five continued to dominate proceedings and their lead increased to 23 points in the 24th minute.

The one great trait in this Wheelers team is the camaraderie among the players and the manner they are willing to battle in the trenches is testament to their class and skills that is evident throughout the team.

In the closing minute the Wheelers continued to nail crucial baskets without coming out of first gear and the game looked over as a contest entering the final quarter when they commanded a healthy 59-38 lead.

Coming down the stretch the Wheelers continued to score at will and the sound of the final buzzer brought ecstatic scenes from their loyal band of supporters.

For rookies T J Lotty from Mayfield and Cathal Lynch who hails from Ballyvourney it was an evening to remember on the biggest stage of all.

Scorers for Rebel Wheelers: Adam Drummond 27, Dylan McCarthy 13, Conor Coughlan 12.

Ballybrack Bulls: Jonathon Hayes 20, J Shannon-Cole 8, O Spain 8.

MVP: Adam Drummond (Rebel Wheelers).

Rebel Wheelers: Jack Quinn, Paul Ryan, Oisin O’Connor, Alex Hennebry, Derek Hegarty, Conor Simpson, Darren O’Regan, Cathal Lynch, Coron Coughlan, Dylan McCarthy, Adam Drummond, T J Lotty.

Ballybrack Bulls: Oran Spain, Ian Glendon, Valene Ryan, Sean McCullagh, Jonathon Hayes, Paul Donnelly, Jason Ryan, Jack Shannon-Cole, Graham Merrigan, Gabriella Van Rooyen.

Referees: Canice Kelly (Kilkenny), John O’Connor (Portarlington), Eric Maitland (Dublin).