Ballincollig as the from team in the country are favourites to beat Limerick and reach National Cup final

Basketball fans will be treated to a classic weekend of action and no better place to be than at the Neptune stadium tonight when Ballincollig and Limerick Celtics clash in the semi- final of the Pat Duffy Men’s National Cup tonight at 8.15pm.

Incredibly, these sides clashed in the Men’s Super League last weekend with the Cork side prevailing 81-75.

In a game that went right to the wire Ballincollig ensured a victory with four late free throws, but player coach Ciaran O’Sullivan is well aware that tonight’s game will be another true test for his team.

“Limerick have brought in a big post player Sean Antonio Hauser and he finished with 19 points and pretty well was a good match up for our big American Latavious Mitchell who also finished on 19 points,” said O’Sullivan.

A dip in form from the second Ballincollig American Latrell Jossell was unusual considering his recent form but his shooting outside the paint showed a 2/10 giving him a 20% average.

“Look that’s sport every player is entitled to have a poor day at the office and I am sure you will see a different player in our cup clash,” added Ciaran.

In the words of O’Sullivan more depth possibly shaded the league clash, and his players will have to be ready for the cauldron of the Neptune stadium.

“We will have to improve in the semi-final but it’s tough to judge games after St Stephen’s day, and in my book I think both teams will improve for this game.” 

It has been a superb season to date for Ballincollig and their latest success was their 12th consecutive win in all competitions, but they have one worry going into this crucial semi final.

“Dylan Corkery rolled his ankle and will need treatment to be fit for this game and that’s something we didn’t need as he is a quality player.” 

Both teams have quality in their squads with the Celtics American pairing of Jamal Williams and Sean Antonio Hauser capable of posing Ballincollig problems.

Another plus for Celtics is the quality of bosman Abdul Wurie and throw in Irish players Finn Hughes, Eoghan Donaghy and Ruari Cronin and you have six quality players.

This semi-final will be tight as Celtics look to have a side capable of matching up to Ballincollig but whether or not they have the required depth remains to be seen.

Credit to the Limerick club they have assembled some wonderful talent on shannonside since their formation and this is a game they would dearly love to win.

Coach Tony Hehir has been involved in the sport for many years, but this game will test his mettle for the big occasion.

On the other side of the coin the Ballincollig coach Ciaran O’Sullivan is a very good tactician and his record this season should be commended.

O’Sullivan is a wiseman when it comes to preparing teams and he will no doubt have dissected the league game in a bid to improve his team.

The Neptune stadium is a special setting for cup basketball and has a unique atmosphere that will be helped by a huge Limerick following as this club have a massive membership.

On the playing front Keelan Cairns is having his best ever season in a Blalincollig jersey and in Adrian O’Sullivan they have a guard who is willing to put his body on the line.

This is a game that could well go down to the wire but for me Ballincollig’s professionals have grit and determination in their DNA that’s needed to win games of this magnitude.

Another great chapter of this championship will be exhibited and if Ballincollig have the bottle for the battle, they should edge this intriguing semi-final.