Killester hopes of a clean sweep of trophies remain alive after a Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague semi-final success over DCU Saints, while UL Eagles booked their place in next Saturday’s final at the expense of last season’s champions UCC Demons.
Killester head coach Mark Keenan is delighted to be back in a league final after the heartbreak of losing in 2008 and 2009.
The National Cup champions have setup a final with UL Eagles after a devastating 104-86 win over DCU Saints on Saturday night.
Keenan said: ‘We are just delighted to be back in a final and to have a chance to do the treble.
‘There is plenty of motivation and determination having lost the last two league finals.
He added: ‘UL Eagles are going to be tough opponents.
‘We have the upper hand on them with three wins this season but it will be hard to beat any team four times but if we play our game, remain determined and focused then we have a great chance.’
Killester captain Paddy Kelly was delighted to get past the Saints after suffering a suprise 75-72 defeat to their North Dublin rivals in the closing stages of the regular season.
Kelly said: ‘They beat us recently so there was no lack of motivation for this game.
‘Saints are a very tough, physical side, they shot the ball well, play well inside but it's down to one game now and we are so determined to complete the season with the treble.
‘UL have done fantastic, they have the best record in the league but we have been doing well this campaign and hopefully we can finish the job on Saturday.’
Killester lead throughout Saturday’s contest with their defence keeping close tabs on Mike Trimmer who was limited to just 11 points.
The third quarter wrapped up the contest for the home side with Pete Madsen and Paddy Kelly both producing big displays.
Jermaine Turner continues to have a great season contributing a tally of 17 points and 15 rebounds in the first half, while Robbie Clarke also played a big part in the win with 3 three-pointers in the third quarter.
UL Eagles head coach Tony Hehir is hoping it’s fourth time lucky when his side travel to Dublin next weekend for their league final showdown with Killester.
The Eagles have capped off a great year by reaching the final after edging out the reigning champions UCC Demons 90-82 in front of a packed UL gym.
Hehir said: ‘They (Killester) have beaten us three times this season but hopefully we will give them a good run this time.
‘There would be no better time to do it but we know the size of the challenge we are facing.'
He added: ‘Hopefully we will show the same resolve as we did against Demons.
‘It was a fantastic team performance with our intensity on defence proving the difference against a very good side in Demons.’
UL Captain Neil Campbell believes the side are desperate to bring silverware back to the club after an excellent campaign, which saw them suffer just four defeats in the Regular Season.
Campbell said: ‘The side has matured a lot since the start of the season.
‘We are relishing the prospect of a major final and I feel there is a national championship in this team. We showed a great team ethic against Demons and to have such a massive backing behind us really helped us down the stretch.’
The Eagles emerged from a tricky tie with Demons with Scott Kinevane sinking a three before the end of the third quarter to give his side a much needed boost.
Kinevane was once again to the fore in the closing stages along with Stuart Robbins who provided the crucial scores to ensure a famous win.
DCU Mercy will meet Team Montenotte Hotel Cork in this year’s IrishSport.TV Women’s SuperLeague final after securing a 12 point win (68-56) at home to UL.
Mercy will be looking to complete a double after surviving a late comeback from UL to ensure a place in next week’s final.
Mercy Head Coach Mark Ingle said: ‘We are really looking forward to facing Montenotte.
‘They will be gunning for us after we beat them in the National Cup final. We have beat them twice this season, they have beaten us once so there will be very little between the sides.’
Ingle added: ‘We have to work a lot on after our performance against UL.
‘We had beaten them three times this season so it is always difficult to get up again and try and get a fourth win against a tough side.
‘We haven’t played well in the third quarters of a lot of our games this season and we did it again on this occasion and let UL back into the contest.
‘We must remain focused throughout next weekend’s clash if we are to stand a chance of securing the double.’
Mercy appeared to be in complete control at the break leading 44-27 but James Weldon’s side responded in the third quarter to leave an anxious final period ahead for DCU.
However, UL failed to capitalize with Lindsey Peat, Shauna O’Connor and Lisa Palmer producing enough in the scoring stakes to send DCU through.
Team Montenotte Hotel Cork head coach Mark Scannell paid tribute to his team after they maintained their hopes of retaining the IrishSport.TV Women’s SuperLeague title they won last year.
Montenotte were made to work hard for their final place by a resilient Killester but they managed to ease through courtesy of a 54-39 scoreline.
Scannell said: ‘It's a major achievement to reach the final and the defeat to DCU in the National Cup will hopefully stand to us next week.
‘Fair play to Killester, they made it difficult for us, they put in a good preparation on us and it showed.
‘The younger players really stepped it up, we lost a few players at the end of last season but I can't praise the players that have come in enough for the effort they have put in.’
He added: ‘We pretty much lead the league from the start and overall it has been a very successful season.
‘It is a bonus that we have reached the cup and now the league final and it bodes well for the future of this club if this is what some of the players have to show after only making the step up this year.
‘It has been a sensational couple of years for the club and hopefully we can end this one with more silverware.’
Montenotte lead 31-19 at the break with the likes of Niamh Dwyer, Grainne Dwyer and Valarie O’Driscoll providing the crucial scores as they went on to book their place in yet another final.
Saturday, March 20 2010:
Nivea For Men's SuperLeague semi-final play-off:
UL Eagles 90 (41) (S Robbins 29, M Hall 22, S Kinevane 15) UCC Demons 82 (40) (J Johnson 27, N O'Reilly 15, S Duggan 12)
Killester 104 (58) (J Turner 27, P Kelly 15, P Madsen 17) DCU Saints 86 (43) (E Quill 18, M Provizors 15, E Donnelly 12)
IrishSport.TV Women's SuperLeague semi-final play-off:
Team Montenotte Hotel Cork 54 (31) (N Dwyer 15, G Dwyer 8, V O'Driscoll 6) Killester 39 (19) (A.O'Sullivan 9, E Brophy 6, F Carrick 4)
Basketball Ireland Men's Division One semi-final play-off:
Team Garveys St Marys 95 (46) (D Wall 27, J Galvin 21, D Griffin 18) Maree 81 (45) (L Mitkus 23, C Crowley 19, L Conroy 12)
Basketball Ireland Women's Division One semi-final play-off
Scruffys St Pauls 63 (32) (M Finnegan 18, M Guiney 11, M Galway 9) Brunell 51 (28) (D O'Leary 17, M White 13, R Lyall 8)
Oblate Dynamos 61 (32) (M Hynes 21, T McGrath 11, G McKenna 8) Ulster Rockets 54 (33) (N Lennon 15, N Toner 11, F Toner 7)
Sunday, March 20 2010
IrishSport.TV Women's SuperLeague semi-final play-off:
DCU Mercy 68 (44) (L Peat 14, S O’Connor 14, L Palmer 12) UL Basketball Club 56 (27) (R Vanderwal 13, F Lynch 11, F Scally 10)
Basketball Ireland Men's Division One semi-final play-off
CHM Ballon 75 (35) (A Statkus 21, T Bruton 18) Titans 82 (39) (P Peldzius 27)
