Reigning Men’s SuperLeague National Cup champions Abrakebabra Tigers booked their place in this season’s final with an 83-71 win over a gallant UCD/Marian challenge at the National Basketball Arena.
UCD/Marian, who reached the final for the first time in over 20 years, looked like creating a shock when they matched Tigers until the end of the third quarter before a late surge from Tigers kept their hopes of retaining the cup intact.
The first quarter started at a frantic pace with three pointers coming from Chris Jordan (Tralee) and David Ryan (UCD). UCD Marian’s one-three-one defence was causing Tralee problems and on the break Cormac Connor’s side hit five points courtesy of Kevin Foley to leave the side with an 8-7 advantage.
Michael Quirke responded for the visitors, winning an offensive rebound ending with a score to tie the game at 11-11 late in the first quarter. The quarter ended with Kieran Donnaghy (Tralee) and Niall Meny (UCD) exchanging baskets to end the first half 16-15 in favour of UCD/Marian.
CJ Hadley found his shooting touch and opened the second quarter with nine of Tralee’s opening 13 points. However, the Kingdom outfit were finding it hard to pull away from UCD/Marian and five points from the impressive Foley kept both sides in close proximity.
UCD’s impressive display continued with a three pointer from new recruit Heath Sitton to give the side a 31-28 advantage.
Barry Drumm gave UCD a huge lift as he helped extend Marian’s lead to 40-32 at the end of the second quarter with some fine long distance shooting.
Three minutes into the third quarter the game was back to a one point contest as Tigers came roaring back with three pointers from Quirke and Hadley. The loudest cheer of the game so far came as Chris Jordan finished a fast break by throwing it down from the clouds, a fantastic tomahawk dunk to give Tralee a 46-44 lead.
The game was on a knife edge and both teams were playing amazing basketball but two more three pointers from CJ Hadley swung the pendulum in Tigers’ favour on a scoreline of 54-47 with four minutes remaining in the quarter.
UCD coach Connor introduced Conor Meaney, who struck immediately with a basket and an assist to leave the Dublin side trailing by just three points before Ryan restored parity with another three pointer.
Tigers responded with Kieran Donnaghy hitting a three pointer and 30 seconds later he found CJ Hadley for yet another three pointer as the third quarter ended 60-54 in favour of Tralee.
Tigers found their rhythm in the final quarter with Quirke proving too much to handle for UCD and Mark Bernsen’s side fired into an eight point lead before Paris Katsimpas hit a three to extend their lead to 11 points against the brave UCD/Marian challenge.
Michael Quirke was proving too much for UCD to handle, as he was dominating both ends on the boards when he pulled off a classic low post back to the basket move, tigers found themselves up by 8 points (64-56).
Things went from bad to worse for UCD as Paris Katsimpson took control, hitting a three pointer and then found Quirke on the fast break to extend Tigers' lead to 71-60.
David Ryan and Kevin Foley lifted the UCD/Marian cause and started to attack the Tigers’ lead. Tralee were forced to endure a few anxious moments when Foley hit two free throws and CJ Hadley went to the bench with an injury. However, the experienced John Teehan came in and steadied the Tralee ship with a strong finish.
Marian’s Foley cut Tigers’ lead to eight points from the free throw line as Quirke picked up his fourth foul. However, the comeback proved too little too late and Tigers advance to this year’s final.
Tigers’ 6’6" forward Chris Jordan was full of admiration for UCD/Marian but delighted to have Kieran Donaghy and Michael Quirke back in his own team after their recent absence due to their commitments with the Kerry Senior Football Team.
'UCD put in a great display, they are a big unit and very strong and really put it up to us,' said Jordan. 'They really pressurised us in the opening stages of the game and looked in fantastic shape.
'It turned out to be one of the toughest games we faced this season so we are all mightily relieved to have come through this tie.
'On our own front, this game showed just how important Quirke and Donaghy are to our ambitions of winning this cup. They were excellent so we are lucky with the guys back in time for this one.'
Meanwhile, Tigers coach Mark Bernsen revealed his relief at booking a date at the National Basketball Arena on Sunday 27 January.
'It wasn’t our best display and we could well have been caught against a really impressive UCD/Marian side,' said Bernsen. 'It may have been their first semi in a long time but you wouldn’t have believed that by watching the game.
'We picked our game up towards the end but we were made sweat for this one and are happy to be looking forward to a final.'
UCD/Marian manager Thomas Tracey revealed his pride for the side after running one of the finest sides in the country so close: 'We are very proud of the players,' said Tracey. 'I was delighted with how the younger Irish players got on against a side like Tigers.
'Their experience stood to them in the last quarter but we never gave up and feel we did ourselves justice against them.
'Tralee's big hitters, in particular Donaghy, showed their experience and how they can keep their composure when it really countd in a game.
'It's been a great journey and I'm sure the performance today will give the guys huge confidence for the season ahead.'
Top Scorers:
UCD/Marian: David Ryan 25, Heath Sitton 14, Kevin Foley 13
Tigers: CJ Hadley 30, Chris Jordan 18, Michael Quirke 13
