UL Eagles stand on the cusp of a second straight Nivea For Mens SuperLeague title this weekend, needing just one win from their two games to lift the coveted trophy.
Meanwhile it will be out with calculators in the Nivea Womens SuperLeague as the final weekend of the regular season has thrown up some tantalising playoff possibilities depending on results Saturday night.
For UL Eagles fans, all eyes will be on the National Basketball Arena on Friday when their team take on an in-form Dublin Inter.
A win for Eagles and they are champions for 2012/13, a loss and the pressure will mount on a team that have already let one chance to wrap up the Nivea For Mens SuperLeague slip through their fingers.
We are definitely not looking past Friday night, insisted Eagles head coach Mark Keenan, who will lead out his charges again the following day at home against Bord Gais Neptune.
We are bitterly disappointed that we didnt finish things last weekend but even by Monday at training, the mood was good in the team.
There is no such thing as waiting until Saturday and trying to win the league at home. We want to win it Friday night and well be gunning to get it there and then.
Eagles opponents, Dublin Inter, have enjoyed a superb run of form recently, topped by their stunning win in Cork last Saturday versus SuperLeague Cup Champions Bord Gais Neptune.
They are really finding their feet now and theyve had some huge wins recently, said Keenan of Inter, who are currently coming to the end of their first ever season in SuperLeague.
They have quality players and we will have to keep battling for a full forty minutes if we want to win.
Should Eagles fail to rise to the occasion on Friday night, they will get one more bite at the cherry this weekend when they host Bord Gais Neptune on Saturday.
The SuperLeague Cup champions have suffered a small dip in form recently and are on a three game losing streak but will know that they have what it takes to defeat Eagles after getting the better of the sides recent Cup final meeting.
Waiting in the wings should Eagles fall are UCC Demons who play a DCU Saints side on Sunday that are busy chasing fourth place and a spot in the end of season Champions Trophy.
The Dublin side had a huge win last weekend in Galway over their closest challenger Moycullen, gifting them a head to head advantage that could prove crucial.
Its really tight and every game is really important. We played good defence last weekend after being in trouble with referees a lot in the weeks prior. Well need another game like we had in Galway to get a result Sunday, said Dave Donnelly, head coach of Saints.
They have firepower all over the court so all we can do is to make them work for what they get.
Donnelly will no doubt be casting an eye over the Killester v Moycullen matchup Saturday night as both teams are lurking dangerously behind in fifth and sixth place.
While both teams would need to win out as well as have Saints drop two of their remaining three games to steal fourth, considering the topsy-turvy season so far, nobody is counting out either side just yet.
We have just two games left so we will give them everything. Then, we will pray that Saints lose a couple, said Moycullen head coach Salva Camps, who has led his young Galway team to their best ever record in the Nivea For Mens SuperLeague.
Saints have three very tough games left and it is very possible for them to lose two. We need to try our best to take care of our business and if we lose let it be because we didnt get the breaks, not because we didnt prepare thinking the season was over.
Basketball Ireland Upcoming Fixtures
Friday, March 1st
Nivea For Mens SuperLeague
Dublin Inter v UL Eagles, 19:45, National Basketball Arena
Saturday, March 2nd
Nivea For Mens SuperLeague
Dublin Inter v UCD Marian, 19:00, Oblate Hall Inchicore ; UL Eagles v Bord Gais Neptune, 19:30, UL Arena ; Killester v Moycullen 20:10, IWA Clontarf
Basketball Ireland Men's Division One
Maree v Matt OFlaherty Chemists Titans, Calasanctius College, 19:00 ; Donegal Town v Fr Mathews, Abbey VS, 17:30 ; Team Garveys St Marys v Templeogue Azzurri, Castleisland, 19:00
Sunday, March 3rd
Nivea For Mens SuperLeague
UCC Demons v DCU Saints, 15:30, Mardyke Arena
Basketball Ireland Men's Division One
Blue Demons v Team Left Bank Kilkenny, Mardyke, 13:00 ; Ulster Elks v Ballon, UUJ, 14:45
Courtesy ....Cian Nihill ...www.basketballireland.ie Jason Killeen (211-C-85, college: Augusta St.)
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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