The Tigers won Superleague Championship 2008
Abrakebabra
Tigers - DART Killester 66-62 (29-38) (K Donaghy 21, M
Quirke 20, J Teahan 7 - M Bonaparte 16, J Behan 14, A Dahi 13)
Abrakebabra Tigers duo,
Kieran Donaghy (198-G/F-83) and
Michael Quirke (198-C-80), were in buoyant mood after their
side claimed this season's Nivea For Men's SuperLeague title
with a 66-62 win over DART Killester at UL's Sports Arena on
Sunday.
'I'm delighted with our team effort today, we really proved that
we wanted this win more than anything and everyone out there
played with real determination,' said Tigers hero
Kieran Donaghy.
'I was worried in the beginning because when we lost
Chris Jordan (193-G-82, college:
Sam Houston St.) to foul trouble it looked like a repeat of
the National Cup Final all over again but everybody gave their
all with
Gerard Myles (188-F-88) and Micheal Quirke taking control of
the game in the closing stages and when it mattered most.'
Meanwhile, Tigers captain and worthy MVP recipient,
Michael Quirke said: 'It was a team effort that gave us the
win and when it counted in the fourth quarter, all our guys were
hungrier for the win.'
'We have had some tough times this season and we are delighted
to win particularly after losing the cup earlier in the season.
John Tehan (185-G-71) opened the scoring for Tigers, with a
big three, indicating their intentions of reclaiming some
silverware this season after losing out in the Cup in January.
DART took time to settle with Tralee playing strong defence to
contain the big hitters in Killester's Michael Bounaparte and
Arnoud Dahi. Michael Goj set the scoreboard rolling for
Killester and a big three from Bonaparte saw it five all half
way through the quarter. Dahi found his range and added six for
Killester with Micheal Quirke playing a captain's role, strong
under the boards and penetrating in the offence with six points
in the first quarter which saw Tigers trail by one, 20-21.
A big three from
Kieran Donaghy at the start of the second put Tralee ahead,
23-21 but they struggled under the pressure of the Killester
press and Killester continued to punish any mistakes with a
superb display of outside shooting from the Dubliners, in a
quarter that saw John Beehan, Michael Goj and Bonaparte combine
to score four big three pointers to put Killester ahead by ten,
with three minutes to play until the half-time whistle, 25-35.
Free throws from Paddy Kelly added two for Killester, with
baskets from Donaghy and Teehan reducing the lead to seven,
29-37, with two minutes remaining. A foul by Donaghy sent
Bonaparte to the line, converting one from two and they held a
nine point lead going to the dressing rooms.
Micheal Quirke opened the second half for Tralee with a two but
Dahi and Bonaparte worked well together to further extend
Killester's lead to 11 points, 34-45. A big three from Quirke
with six minutes remaining brought Tralee back in the game but a
technical call on
Chris Jordan sent Beehan to the free throw line for two and
the additional possession saw Killester push ahead 37-49. A
basket from Teehan and two big three's from
Gerard Myles and Donaghy, saw Killester's lead reduced to
four with three minutes to go. Bonaparte and Donaghy each
converted one from two to maintain the four point difference
going into the final minute of the quarter but a big three from
John Beehan just before the buzzer saw Tralee enter into the
final quarter trailing by six, 47-53.
A three from Quirke, narrowed the gap in the opening minute and
a big rebound from
Pete Strobl (205-F-77, college:
Niagara), saw Tralee set up another two points from Quirke
to bring it down to a one-point game, 52-53. A strong drive by
Donaghy tied the game 54 all with eight minutes still to play in
the quarter.
Gerard Myles, had a fantastic game for Tralee and his two
points in the sixth minute saw Tigers take the lead for the
first time in the game, 58-56. Coach Mark Keenan called a
time-out to regroup his side and Killester pressed for the
remainder of the quarter. A fifth foul by Dahi, saw him leave
the game with just over two minutes remaining and Quirke
converted one to maintain the two point advantage. Bonaparte
followed up with a three for Killester but Quirke again was
instrumental with another two points and an intentional foul by
Bonaparte sent Donaghy to the line to convert both and retain
possession with 1:30 to go, 65-62. A pass from Donaghy travelled
the length of the court to find Chris Myles under the Killester
basket and a big check from Paddy Kelly sent Myles to the free
throw line to claim the Nivea for Men's SuperLeague Trophy and
Champions title on a score line of 66-62.
MVP:
Michael Quirke (Abrakebabra Tigers)
Courtesy of Basketballireland
