In the last weekend of action in the Nivea For Mens SuperLeague before teams take a break for the cup there were tight but crucial wins for Cork sides UCC Demons and Bord Gais Neptune with UL Eagles and DCU Saints securing wins also.
In the Nivea Womens SuperLeague, Team Montenotte Hotel briefly moved to the top of the table Saturday night before a UL Huskies win on Sunday re-established the ladies from Limerick atop the table. There were wins also for DCU Mercy, Ulster Rockets and WIT Wildcats.
The most dramatic moment of the weekend occurred in Dublin Saturday night where UCD Marian were on the verge of a spectacular upset win against UCC Demons before Ciaran OSullivan converted a last second basket to steal victory for the Cork outfit.
Marian were playing without any American after deciding to part ways with John Galvin and came out playing like a team with nothing to lose, taking an early 13 point lead mid-way through the second quarter.
Demons edged their way back into the game however and going into the fourth quarter actually held a one point lead over the home side.
With the contest ebbing back and forth, Conor Meany was almost the hero for Marian, netting a huge basket with 23 seconds to go to give his team the lead. It was not to be however as Demons ran a smooth offensive that found Ciaran OSullivan an open driving lane which he attacked and got fouled as he scoring.
By converting the subsequent free throw for the three-point-play, OSullivan secured the win for Demons, improving them to 11 wins on the season.
The fact that they played with five guards caused us a lot of matchup problems, remarked Demons head coach Paul Kelleher afterwards.
They got a lot of easy penetrations against us and we let them out and run in transition. Eventually we tightened up and came back into it but they are a tough team to play and were delighted to get out of here with a win.
Meanwhile in Cork, Demons oldest rivals and opponents in this Fridays National Cup semi-final, Bord Gais Neptune, survived a tight game of their own against Dublin Inter.
Speaking after their 77 to 65 win, Neptune head coach Mark Scannell stressed that the double-digit gap was not reflective of the tight game.
Inter always play you tough. We held a small lead all game but we never managed to stretch it, not until the final minutes, he said.
They are dogged and they shot the ball extremely well. What turned it for us was the job our big guys did securing our boards, which was a great effort considering the size of the Inter fellas. It put Inter in foul trouble too.
It was a tight affair also in the DCU Sports Complex as DCU Saints edged out Killester in a low-scoring defensive battle 65 to 61.
It was a close one all the way throughout. Both teams played really good defence, said Saints head coach Dave Donnelly afterwards.
I was a little bit disappointed with out offensive execution and I thought we missed Martins (Provisors) a lot tonight.
When Saints needed it however, their veteran scorer Pat Glover was on hand and his clutch shooting down the stretch proved the difference between the teams in the end.
Pat came up with some huge shots at the end for us, even though he hadnt been making them all game, he got them when we needed them, said Donnelly.
In Galway defending champions UL Eagles rediscovered their winning form against Moycullen with a convincing 73 to 91 victory.
Central to the Limerick mens win was the play of inside centre Jason Killeen who caused consistent problems for the Moycullen defence that struggled to handle his size. Forced to send two and three players to contain him, Moycullen left open Eagles shooters that punished the home side throughout the contest.
A week ahead of their Cup semi-final matchup with UCD Marian, Eagles head coach Mar Keenan was delighted with his teams road win.
We definitely played with a greater intensity than we had in recent games and were very happy to leave Galway with a win. We let our concentration slip late in the game and let Moycullen back into it but overall very happy with how we played.
One concern for Keenan will be the health of star guard Robert Taylor who came up slightly limp after a drive to the basket late in the game.
Speaking afterwards Keenan said that it appeared to be just a slight knock and that the Eagles coaching staff would monitor Taylors progress over the coming week.
saw a big win for Ulster Rockets in Belfast as they prolonged Liffey Celtics winless start to the 2012-2013 season while DCU Mercy proved too strong for WIT Wildcats.
Weekend Results
Saturday January 5th
Nivea For Men's SuperLeague
Moycullen 73 (45) (P Sullivan 34, S Camps 12, C Nihill 11) UL Eagles 91 (47) (J Killeen 21, S Kinnevane 16, M Hall 14)
Bord Gais Neptune 77 (36) (I Mcloughlin 23, D Townes 18, G Noonan 17) Dublin Inter 65 (33) (M Tamausaukas 21, A Statkus, 14 M Landus 11)
UCD Marian 77 (45) (C Meany 21, D James 21, K Foley 12) UCC Demons 78 (39) (K Walker 24, C Cuffe 15, C O'Sullivan 13)
DCU Saints 65 (33) C Grace 18, K Anderson 15, E Quill 9) Killester 61 (31) M Bonaparte 17, A Casey 12, M Westbrooks 12)
Basketball Ireland Men's Division One
Maree 99 (43) (K Hansberry 28, D Hansberry 17, J Brophy 15) Ballon BC 47 (18) (M Rubstavicius 13, D Shoyinka 6, D Demolition 6)
Templeogue Azzurri 72 (37 (I Gordon 21, T Swiatowy 11, P Taylor 8) Blue Demons 69 (36) (S McCarthy 26, R O'Neill 20, K Hosford 10)
Courtesy .... Cian Nihill ....www.basketballireland.ie Robert Taylor (188-G-83, college: Rider)
Valencia Basket (ACB) parted ways with 23-year old American (has also Irish passport) swingman Will Hanley (200-93kg-90, college: Bowdoin, agency: Duran International). In four ACB games he recorded 4.5ppg and 3.5rpg this season. Hanley also played at Oviedo CB (LEB Silver) earlier that season. In 20 games he averaged impressive 17.7ppg, 11.2rpg and 1.6spg. He helped them to make it to the cup final. Hanley was voted NABC Division III All-Northeast Region 2nd Team in 2012 at his college time [read more]
Valencia Basket (ACB) parted ways with 23-year old American (has also Irish passport) swingman Will Hanley (200-93kg-90, college: Bowdoin, agency: Duran International). In four ACB games he recorded 4.5ppg and 3.5rpg this season. Hanley also played at Oviedo CB (LEB Silver) earlier that season. In 20 games he averaged impressive 17.7ppg, 11.2rpg and 1.6spg. He helped them to make it to the cup final. Hanley was voted NABC Division III All-Northeast Region 2nd Team in 2012 at his college time. Hanley graduated from Bowdoin College in 2012 and it is his first season as a professional player. On Hanley:
Will runs the floor very well. He is always a double- double threat on the court. He is really intense and hard mentality. Has shown the ability to guard smaller defenders and pressure ball handlers.
Mens A FinalNUI Galway 64 (30) (A Tongo 20, K Hansberry 20) UL 73 (41) (S Kinevane 27, E Quigley 15) MVP Scott Kinevane (UL)Womens A FinalUCD 65 (29) (E Mairtin 20, A McLoughlin 13) UL 62 (32) (A McDermott 26, S McGorry 17)Mens B FinalUCC 82 (42) (C Anon 22, R Murphy 13) DIT 62 (32) (R Murray 18, C Lark 14)Womens B FinalCarlow IT 48 (16) (L McCormack 21, K Delahunt 8) Cork IT 61 (19) (A Estaban [read more]
Mens A Final
NUI Galway 64 (30) (A Tongo 20, K Hansberry 20) UL 73 (41) (S Kinevane 27, E Quigley 15) MVP Scott Kinevane (UL)
Womens A Final
UCD 65 (29) (E Mairtin 20, A McLoughlin 13) UL 62 (32) (A McDermott 26, S McGorry 17)
Mens B Final
UCC 82 (42) (C Anon 22, R Murphy 13) DIT 62 (32) (R Murray 18, C Lark 14)
Womens B Final
Carlow IT 48 (16) (L McCormack 21, K Delahunt 8) Cork IT 61 (19) (A Estaban 21, M Pichet 19)
Mens A Intervarsity Final: NUIG v UL
(5pm @ UCC Mardyke Arena)
UL 73
NUIG 64
An action packed opening quarter saw both teams play a very high tempo with Ken Hansberry (NUIG) and Scott Kinevane (UL) leading the charge for both teams. Andre Tongo (NUIG) worked hard on the offensive glass for his Galway side but Kinevane turned from scorer to provider as Eoin Quigley (UL) finished a dunk with authority. The first quarter finished out with UL leading narrowly by one, 19-18.
Tongo continued to stretch the UL defence as he knocked down a long three while working the paint with his inside post play. Both teams continued to exchange baskets with Donal McCarthy (UL) connecting on some jump shots from the elbow. Half way through the second quarter UL had increased their lead to seven points, 31-24. James Brophy (NUIG) was able to offer a scoring punch inside when re-introduced into the game but McCarthy (UL) answered with another long deuce to keep the Limerick college team ahead. At half time UL led 41-30.
A very visibly fired up NUIG side came out the second half and raised the tempo again. This time Padraig Burke (NUIG) pushed the ball aggressively up the floor on each play. He was able to feed big man Brophy inside who was fouled and connected on both resulting free throws.
Another foul by UL, this time against Hansberry resulted in a time-out by UL head coach Neil Campbell. With just over five minutes left, his side had seen his lead reduced to five points, 45-40.
NUIG continued to chip away at ULs lead before a pair of Eoin Quigley (UL) free throws at the end of the quarter ensured that they had the advantage going into the final quarter, 52-49.
Again it was Tongo edging his NUIG team forward on every possession but UL were able to answer each time. It wasnt until James OBrien (NUIG) drained a rainbow three that they actually took a lead, the Galwegians up by one with just under four minutes left.
Again both teams exchanged scores on either end but NUIG head coach Con Crowley called a time out with one minute thirty one left after Kinevane drained a heavily contested buzzer beating three against the shot clock.
More baskets from UL pushed their lead to six as NUIG called their last time out with just over forty seconds to discuss their last attempt to steal it back but it wasnt to be. UL ran out winners, 73-64.
This ends a long journey by UL in their quest for glory this is only their second time in an A mens final and the first time ever to be crowned Mens A Intervarsity Champions. Scott Kinevane was deservedly awarded the game Most Valuable Player.
There was no real one pivotal point in the game, it was more our defensive intensity at the start of the game we continued with that throughout the game. Our transition game was massive for on and with Lennart (Heintz) inside control the boards it was a big boast especially against (Ken) Hansberry and (James) Brophy, said Kinevane.
I would like to thank Neil Campbell for all his work throughout the year, without him it wouldnt be possible. His professionalism at training really helped us prepare for the big challenge. Also Noreen OConnell and all at UL for their support, not just this year but all of the years. Without them all it wouldnt be possible.
NUI Galway 64 (30) (A Tongo 20, K Hansberry 20) UL 73 (41) (S Kinevane 27, E Quigley 15)
A Mens All Stars:
Andre Tongo (NUIG)
Scott Kinevane (UL)
Eoin Quigley (UL)
Jim Mower (UUJ)
Ciaran OSullivan (Cork I.T.)
Mens B Intervarsity Final: UCC v DIT
(1pm @ UCC Mardyke Arena)
UCC 82
DIT 62
UCC started the last B final of the day with a point to prove. The current Division One League winners dictated the pace on offense and commanded the paint the defence.
UCC lead by the foreign connection of twin towers Christian Anon and Tibo Priou made DIT work for every score on defence and much to the delight of the crowd Priou swatted away a failed floater by DITs Ron Murray.
Kyle OMahony (UCC) energy fed to the rest of his squad as he weaved through the DIT defence and as a result, UCC finished the opening quarter already with a thirteen point lead, 23-10.
UCC head coach Francis OSullivan continued to torment the DIT defence with fresh legs as Jason Wilkinson re-entered the game and knocked down the long deuce. Another cheer by the crowd was heard when OMahony for UCC stole the ball and assisted Priou for the fast break dunk, the first of the day.
While Priou proceeded to entertain the crowd with another two handed flush Stephen James (DIT) was able to draw the and one in the following play to bring the difference back to five points. Both teams traded baskets as the time ran out on the first half before UCC expanded out for a ten point lead, 42-32.
UCC continued to pile on the defensive pressure on DIT as they struggled to find rhythm on offence. On the other hand, UCC scored at will with a combination of post moves and sharp shooting outside the key.
Luke OMahony (UCC) provided the soft touch inside with a series of interior scores and again it was Priou proving to be the thorn in the DIT side as he turned from provider to scorer in each play and ensured that UCC entered the final quarter with a commanding lead, 65-43.
The fourth and final quarter turned out to be a mirror of the third with DIT unable to stop the free flowing UCC offence.
The final score was 82-62 to UCC with Tibo Priou collecting the elusive MVP golden ball.
Our defence ultimately won us the game along with the sharp shooting from the lads. This combined with the defensive pressure really made all the hard work from the year pay off, said UCC captain Luke OMahony after the game.
UCC 82 (42) (C Anon 22, R Murphy 13) DIT 62 (32) (R Murray 18, C Lark 14)
Open Letter from the Chairman of BI to the Basketball Community
Legacy issue finally resolved
As you know, we are now at the half way point in our seven year plan to pay off the serious over-runs on current spending which emerged in 2009 [read more]
Open Letter from the Chairman of BI to the Basketball Community
Legacy issue finally resolved
As you know, we are now at the half way point in our seven year plan to pay off the serious over-runs on current spending which emerged in 2009. Since that time, the Association has transformed itself with a new Board of Directors to oversee the business of Basketball, a new Council to lead the development and regulation of the game of Basketball, and a new Secretary General to lead the work of the staff at headquarters at the National Basketball Arena.
One outstanding issue from the past is the Community Hoops Programme. In the period from 1999 to 2006, BI received grants totalling 1.753 million from the Department of Sport for this programme. While some of this money was spent on providing Hoops around Ireland, most of the money was spent on development programmes to maximise the use of these and other basketball facilities throughout the country. The then management and Board of BI were under the impression that this was acceptable to the Department.
In 2009, the Department began an audit on this programme and discovered that while all of the grant money was spent on basketball, 1.24 million of the Capital grant had been spent on development programmes for basketball rather than on the purchase of equipment. After the Department of Sport was moved into the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTS), an internal DTTS audit report confirmed this position.
The DTTS has now informed us of the sanctions which it is imposing on BI for the serious error of using Capital grants for current expenditure. In its written decision, the DTTS notes as mitigating circumstances that the grant-aid diverted from the Community Hoops programme monies were spent on other basketball-related activities, and it also takes into account the important work of BI and its efforts to regularise its financial position and corporate structure since this case was discovered, before noting that BI must repay 10% of the 1.24 million and will not be permitted to apply for capital funding for the next five years. In addition, a provisional 2008 grant for the Arena will not now be forthcoming.
The Board of BI is very disappointed at this decision of the DTTS (which will hamper the progress which has been made since 2009 and which will delay much needed work on the National Basketball Arena) but it notes that the monetary sanction could have been much bigger and that the capital programme ban could have been for much longer. The Board has therefore taken the view that now is the time to draw a line in the sand with regard to this long-standing legacy issue and has agreed a schedule for the repayment of the 124,000. The Board has also decided to absorb the necessary repayments within our current five-year projections without further imposition on our members.
Meanwhile, the matter will be outlined and discussed in further detail at the AGM in June.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Paul Meany (Chairman, Basketball Ireland): .... From www.basketballireland.ie
NW Regional Senior Cup Finals this Saturday
The North West Regional Senior Cup Finals take place in Abbey Vocational School this Saturday the 6th of April. This is the biggest event of the year for the North West regional teams and the pinnacle of a very competitive season. With two great games on offer, all are encouraged to get to the gym in good time to enjoy the spectacle.
Please note the games times have been changed and moved to 6pm and 8pm.
6pm Senior Ladies Final ;
Donegal Town B.C. Vrs Lyit Ladies B.C.
Referees; Brian Mc Hugh Jnr. & Anthony Flores
8pm Senior Mens Finals ;
Donegal Dragons Vrs Lyit Ravens B.C.
Referees: Brian Mc Hugh Jnr. & Jay Mc Memamin: .... Courtesy Kevin Sinclair
Cork County Basketball Board Annual General Meeting:
Venue / Date : Connolly Hall Lapps Quay at 7.p.m.on 2nd May next.
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