As the final curtain falls on the Nivea For Mens SuperLeague, this weekend will see the last of the regular season games played out across the country.
In particular, DCU Saints will find themselves battling for the fourth position on the league table that will also guarantee them the final spot for a semi-final playoff for the elite Champions Trophy. Elsewhere in the Nivea For Mens SuperLeague top three teams will look to use this weekend as preparation for the new competition while others look to finish the 2012-2013 season on a high.
The action will start tonight in the Nivea Mens SuperLeague when DCU Saints welcome Dublin Inter to Glasnevin. Both teams are one-a-piece going into the clash so all is to play for.
Speaking about his side, head coach of DCU Saints, David Donnelly, said, We have been in good form recently, winning both of our last two games on the bounce.
Inter have been shooting very well lately so we know we need to close down their guards on the perimeter. The last game went into over-time too so we need a big performance tonight.
Dublin Inters head coach, Irmantas Griskas understands how close this contest will be, There is nothing between both teams. DCU are probably our biggest rivals so I know we may enter the game a little nervous but we are determined to prove that we can take them.
Moving into the weekend both teams will take to the floor again as they are booked for double weekends.
For the northsiders, DCU, will take on UCC Demons. Only last week the Dubliners overcame the Cork side when they finished on a score-line of 73-80. However, this weekend the game holds greater significance as DCU must win one of their games to qualify and compete in the Champions Trophy semi-finals.
Donnelly once again stressed the importance of the teams focus, We know we need a win and the opportunity to compete in the Champions Trophy has given us the incentive to do so.
We will treat each game in isolation, maintain our efforts and look to finish strong.
As Demons have already secured their semi-final draw against cork rivals, Bord Gais Neptune, this game will give them the opportunity to change their momentum of late and record a win on the road.
Paul Kelleher, head coach of UCC Demons said, Weve had a lot of setbacks recently between players being injured, ill or having working commitments. Unfortunately, this weekend, well be going without Niall Murphy after he left the game injured last week.
However, we are eager to get back on track and back to the consistent team that I know we can be. We are lacking confidence but we wont let anything interfere. We want to win our next three games and the positive atmosphere around the team tells me we can do it.
Elsewhere, Dublin Inters second game of the weekend will see them challenge Killester in the I.W.A. Clontarf.
Griskas attitude is much the same entering this game as it is for the DCU Saints clash, We are one-a-piece with Killester also, so we know we can take this game.
This weekend we want to prove to everyone that we will not be pushed around and will finish the season strong. Our aim is to win both games and to make it difficult for our opponents to try and take us on.
Meanwhile, if DCU were to drop both games this weekend, it would give Killester the opportunity to slip through the cracks and nab the fourth position once they secure their home win.
Killesters head coach, Tom Doherty, said, We want to focus on winning this weekend, everything else is out of our hands.
Inter are an excellent team that have really excelled this season so we will have a close game.
Our lads are working hard and we want to finish the season on a high at home so Saturday night is a big one for us.
In Galway, Moycullen will take on Bord Gais Neptune as they look to finish their most successful season to date in the SuperLeague with a win.
Head coach of Moycullen, Salva Camps, said, We may have been knocked out of the race for the Champions Trophy last weekend but Saturday is still a huge game for us. Its the last game of the season and its on our home court. Well want to play with heart to thank the supporters who have been behind us all year and also to reward ourselves as a team for all the work weve put in since August.
Neptune play with great speed and try to get up and down the court quick but that wont scare us too much. We have a young team and should be able to run with them, we just need to make sure we keep our concentration and dont let them leak out for easy scores on the break too often.
Mark Scannell, Bord Gais Neptunes head coach is excited for his side, We want to win, to give us a chance to tie the second spot with Demons if they lose. It would be a great achievement for us considering other peoples expectations at the start of the season.
I am very proud of the team for everything that they have achieved this season, especially the National Cup title.
Over the last few weeks a lot of our younger boys have earned more court time and they have been coming up trumps. This weekend I want to increase their time and enter the Champions Trophy with a win to give us momentum.
We have respect for Moycullen and know what they are capable of at home so we need to hit the ground running against them.
Meanwhile League Winners, UL Eagles will take on a resilient UCD Marian who saw the better of them only two weeks previous.
Speaking about the game, UL Eagles assistant coach, Mike Hickey said, This is an important game for us in preparation for the semi-final next weekend.
We left a bit behind us when we played them last and we know that once we focus on our defence this time around we can secure the win.
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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