The draw for the Hula Hoops National Cup semi-finals is now complete with three more teams through to the penultimate round in Cork on the second weekend in January.
GCD Swords Thunder knocked out UCD Marian on Friday night with a 10-point win. 2015 finalists Marian led for the first time early in the final quarter but Thunder iced the win with nine successes from their last 10 free-throw attempts.
“This was the team we lost to in the semis last year,” said Swords Coach Dave Baker. “We’ve had a shaky start to our league campaign so getting to the semi-finals is huge for us.”
Fr Mathew’s saw off BFG Neptune in an all Division One clash in the Presidents’ National Cup while Maree made home court advantage count against Tralee BC in the Under-18 Men’s Competition.
Templeogue are now six points clear at the top of the Men’s Premier League after an 82-80 win over Pyrobel Killester.
Meanwhile, C&S UCC Demons conceded ground with a stunning 100-90 defeat to DCU Saints.
“We scrambled really well to get to their shooters and then we controlled our own boards which led to fast-break points,” said DCU Saints Coach Joey Boylan. “It makes for a nice Christmas present.”
In the Women’s Premier League, Team Montenotte Hotel played their best basketball of the season to beat Pyrobel Killester and move into second place.
30 points in the second quarter ensured an 85-62 win while Meteors are up to third after winning at Portlaoise Panthers.
Singleton SuperValu Brunell pulled off an overtime win against the in-form Maxol WIT Wildcats.
“Their basket went in and we missed and that was it,” said Wildcats’ Sinead Deegan. “They got one back on us because we could say we stole the win when we played them down in Cork.”
RESULTS:
Sunday December 20
Men’s Premier League: DCU Saints 100, C&S UCC Demons 90; Templeogue BC 82-80 Pyrobel Killester.
Women’s Premier League: DCU Mercy 62, Courtyard Liffey Celtics 53.
Women’s Division One: Oblate Dynamos 54, Fr. Mathews 63; Marble City Hawks 38, Team Garvey's Tralee 42.
Saturday December 19
Men’s Premier League: Eanna BC 52, UCD Marian 90; Belfast Star 80, GCD Swords Thunder 74; UL Eagles 81, SSE Airtricity Moycullen 74.
Women’s Premier League: Portlaoise Panthers 53, Meteors 60; Team Montenotte Hotel 85, Pyrobel Killester 62; Maxol WIT Wildcats 70, Singleton’s Supervalu Brunell 72 (OT).
Men’s Division One: ITC Basketball 61, Keane's Supervalu Killorglin 72; JM&L Auctioneers Titans 69, C&S Blue Demons 67.
Hula Hoops Presidents National Cup Quarter-Final: Fr. Mathews 81, BFG Neptune BC 72.
Women’s Division One: Fr. Mathews 68, ITC Basketball; Team DenJoes American Style 48, NUIG Mystics 81.
