Ballincollig basketballers ready for huge National Cup clash against Belfast Star

Ballincollig are the sole Cork representatives in this year’s Pat Duffy Men’s National Cup as they welcome favourites Belfast Star to the MTU Arena on Saturday at 4pm, in what should be a thrilling quarter-final clash.

The Village are presently in a seriously rich vein of form. After winning eight games on the bounce, they have played some quality basketball against good sides.

There is little doubt the return of Ciaran O’Sullivan as player-coach has been a major boost as his team always looked well-drilled, particularly in defence.

O’Sullivan is ably assisted by Matt Hall, the former UL Eagles player and coach, whose knowledge of the game is immense.

Since winning their first Super League, Ballincollig lost a National Cup final and then had a very disappointing campaign in 2023-'24. That was down to their choice of professional players and this season they have certainly hit the right notes in that department.

The trio of Latavious Mitchell, Lattrell Jossell and Joshua Steel have been awesome in every sense of the word.

Mitchell, in my book, is the best American in the league as his work rate is simply off the charts and his determination to help his team in the vital stages of games puts him in a different class.

UP WITH THE BEST

Latrell Jossell is a quick guard whose ability to shoot and assist is right up there with the best. It will be interesting to see how Star plan to contain him.

In previous seasons, Ballincollig went for big Bosmans in their squad, but this season have English-born wingman Josh Steel, who has been a revelation at both ends of the court.

The visitors are presently leading the Super League but they were beaten recently on the road by St Vincent’s this season.

Having watched them play UCC Demons in Cork there is a side to Star that Ballincollig can expose. Demons actually commanded a 20-point lead in the second quarter and that dominance was down to them playing in your face defence that the northerners struggled to cope with for long periods.

This season Ballincollig have excelled in defence and this could be the winning and losing of this crucial clash.

The Star Americans Roger Wilson and Shane Bell are useful but not the best to have represented this club.

In my book, Ballincollig will match up to Star better than the majority of sides and O’Sullivan will no doubt have a plan to shut down their artillery.

The former Tralee Warriors ace Rap Buivydas is a player that Ballincollig will need to restrict as he is an integral part of their scoring.

KEY

Adrian O’Sullivan, fresh from his experience with the Irish men’s team, is another key player for Ballincollig and will need to continue with his positive displays.

Dylan Corkery is a warrior and Keelan Cairns is an ace shooter when finding his range and this game should have everything as the capacity MTU Arena capacity should enjoy a thriller.