Rebel Wheelers advance to IWA National Cup final after a big win over Clonsalee

Rebel Wheelers 75 

Clonsalee 30 

A comfortable win for Rebel Wheelers as they booked their place into the final of the IWA National Cup courtesy of a big win over Laois side Clonaslee at the MTU Arena on Saturday morning.

In a game that the Wheelers dominated from start to finish they had impressive performances from Dylan McCarthy, Adam Drummond and Conor Coughlan.

Last year the former Neptune star Adam Drummond was named MVP at the final and he is keenly looking forward to playing in another at basketball headquarters.

“With no disrespect to Clonaslee I am sure we will have a far tougher final but the lads are in good spirits and all we can do now is work hard on the training court and ensure we are ready for the big game,” said Adam.

From successful years at Neptune Drummond is very aware of the special feeling of playing in a cup at the National Basketball Arena.

“Nothing beats it and having won the last six finals the hunger is still there and no doubt we will be ready for what is the biggest weekend in Irish basketball,” added Drummond.

It was evident from tip off that the holders were in a different class as they surged into a 9-0 lead in the opening four minutes with Dylan McCarthy McCarthy looking sharp in the offence court.

The experience gained by the Wheelers from competing in Europe stood to them in the early exchanges although Conor Dufficy got the Laois outfit up and running in the fifth minute with a stunning basket.

The response was instant from the Wheelers as Jack Quinn showed his class with a deft move to the hoop that was finished with a basket and bonus.

In the eight- minute Conor Coughlan showed his class for the Wheelers with a stunning three pointer that increased their lead to 13 points.

That’s the way it stayed to the end of the quarter with the Wheelers commanding a 17-4 lead entering the second period.

The trend of the game didn’t change on the restart as the Wheelers coach Alan Dineen could afford to use different rotations such was the dominance of his side.

It was noticeable even from last season the Wheelers looked more polished at both ends of the court and following another Coughlan drive his side now had a 26- point lead with two minutes remaining to the interval.

In the closing minute a late Conor Dufficy basket saw the Laois go in at the break trailing 37-12 with this game looking firmly out of their reach.

It only took Alex Henerbry 30 seconds to nail the opening basket and a second one from Drummond was just the start the Wheelers wanted.

In another dominant quarter for the Wheelers took a 32- point lead into the final quarter.

Coming down the stretch the trend of the game changed little as this game was decided long before the final buzzer as the seven in a row remains firmly on track for the Wheelers.

Scorers for Rebel Wheelers: D McCarthy 23, C Coughlan 19, D O’Regan 8.

Clonaslee: C Dufficy 21, S Robbins 4, S Robbins 4.

Rebel Wheelers: J Quinn, P Ryan, O O’Connor, A Hennebry, K O’Callaghan, T J Lotty, C Simpson, L Breen, R Motherway, D O’Redan, C Lynch, C Coughlan, W O’Connor, D McCarthy, A Drummond.

Clonaslee: S Robbins, M Dennedy, A Galvin, C Dufficy, K Dufficy, B Conroy, G Culliton, R Doran.

Referees: C Kelly (Kilkenny), E Matland (Dublin), M Scully (Dublin). Wheelers