Host of Cork teams set for hoops cup finals
Four Cork teams have qualified for basketball’s national cup finals weekend in a fortnight in Dublin after a dominant weekend at the semi-finals weekend in Cork.
The only Cork team to lose was Singleton Supervalu Brunell who went down narrowly against fellow Leesiders The Address UCC Glanmire.
A fifth Cork team, Rebel Wheelers will play their delayed semi-final this Saturday in Tralee when they face Clonaslee at 4pm in The Kerry Sports Academy. They will hope to make it a fantastic five in two weeks in Dublin.
The senior men and women’s showpiece events will both feature Cork teams in C&S Neptune and The Address UCC Glanmire while the men of UCC Demons will contest the U20 final. UCC Demons play Drogheda Wolves in the Presidents’ National Cup final.
John Feehan, Basketball Ireland CEO, said: “We witnessed a cracking weekend of semi-final action down in Cork and we are hugely excited to be preparing for the cup finals at the National Basketball Arena in less than two weeks’ time.
“Although we will only be at 50 per cent capacity due to the current Government restrictions, we know that the supporters who do get a chance to come along to Dublin will ensure it’s a terrific atmosphere for all seven InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup Cup finals.”
C&S Neptune will play Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in the InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup final after they beat NUIG Maree 103-92 in their Pat Duffy Cup semi-final at Neptune Stadium last weekend.
C&S Neptune player/coach Colin O’Reilly said: “It's an advantage playing at home, but it also adds some pressure as well. If you look at the key statistics for both teams, we both match up - we were both evenly matched. It turned out exactly how we thought it would turn out so we were just happy to be the ones who won it.”
The Address UCC Glanmire will face DCU Mercy in the Paudie O’Connor Cup final after beating local rivals Singleton Supervalu Brunell 92-82 in the opening game of cup semi-finals weekend in Cork. Carrie Shephard scored 22 points for the victors, while Aine McKenna had 18 points and Claire Melia impressed with 13 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.
Mark Scannell was pleased how his side responded to the bright start from their local opponents: “I’m very happy now, it was a tough game, really tough game. Brunell came out all guns blazing and took an early lead, my team showed a lot of character when they needed.
“We weathered the early storm and then when we got going we had to make some early adjustments, Shannon (Ryan) was unbelievable for them and the post gave us loads of trouble, but in cup semi-finals different things come at you, you have to try and figure it out on the run and I thought they did a great job of it.”