DBS Éanna are into their second InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy Cup final in three seasons after they defeated Emporium Cork Basketball 77-71 in a thriller at a packed Neptune Stadium.
They will play University of Galway Maree in the final in two weeks' time at the National Basketball Arena, after Charlie Crowley’s side defeated Bright St. Vincent’s 86-68 to reach their first ever final.
DBS Éanna made a super start to the game, racing to an early 22-11 lead by the end of the first, Kristijan Andabaka hitting eight points during it. Emporium Cork Basketball began the second quarter brightly, Keelan Cairns’ three and Jose Jimenez Gonzalez’ layup and free throw, followed by another long-range three from the hot-handed Cairns reduced the deficit to 24-21.
John Dawson, who has been so influential for Emporium Cork Basketball this season, didn’t get his first basket until nearly midway through the second quarter, to make it a two point game, 25-23. Mark Reynolds, who excelled all game, responded with four points.
The game was end-to-end after that, with both sides contributing to an exciting finish to the quarter.
Emporium Cork Basketball completed the turnaround with a Dawson free throw in the final seconds, to nudge them in front for the first time in the game, 32-31.
Dawson began the third quarter with three three-point jump shots and a dunk, it was 43-33 with a little over two minutes gone and it looked like the momentum was with Emporium Cork Basketball. A lovely shot fake from Cairns opened up the opportunity for a two point jump shot, handing Ciarán O’Sullivan’s side a 49-37 lead midway through the quarter.
A seven point run from DBS Éanna followed, it was started by Romonn Nelson, then Steven Desncia landed a three pointer and ending with a Nelson layup, to reduce the deficit to 51-47, which sparked a timeout call from Emporium Cork Basketball.
Jose Jimenez Gonzales hit a three straight after that timeout for Emporium Cork Basketball, but DBS Éanna picked up six point points in the closing stages of the quarter to make it a one-point game, 54-53 to Emporium Cork Basketball.
The fourth quarter began with a Nelson three, to put DBS Éanna back in front, 56-54, but the lead exchanged hands multiple times. DBS Éanna took a hold of the game late on, a brilliant corner three from Neil Lynch with the shot clock running out had DBS Éanna 71-63 up with 2’03 left.
It sparked wild celebrations from the Éanna bench, while Emporium Cork Basketball called for a timeout. The closing stages were scrappy as Emporium Cork Basketball tried to claw themselves back into it, but couldn’t do so.
University of Galway Maree are into their first ever InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy Cup final following a 86-68 win over Bright St. Vincent’s at Neptune Stadium. Jarett Haines notched up 28 points, three rebounds and five assists in their victory, while captain Eoin Rockall also shone, with nine points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Bright St Vincent’s were without the influential Stefan Zecevic, who picked up an ankle injury earlier this week, and his absence was sorely felt by the Dublin club, who were featuring in a Cup semi-final for the first time in 17 years. University of Galway Maree raced to a 29-16 lead by the end of the quarter, Haines proving hard to contain as he landed 14 points in the opening 10 minutes.
Bright St Vincent’s needed a response, and Giorgi Tvalabeishvili led that, he shot 15 points in the second quarter, but University of Galway increased their lead to 19 points by half-time, 53-34; Haines was on 19 points, while Rodrigo Gomez had 13 points and nine rebounds.
Donovan Fields who scored 70 points en-route to reaching the last four, got into his flow in the third, his shot clock beating jump shot from reduced the deficit to 60-40 in the fourth minute of the third, he had 11 points in the third quarter. But it was the Haines show, he landed a three with a little over a minute to go in the third to bring his personal tally to 28, extending University of Galway’s advantage to 71-54.
There was to be no dramatic comeback from Josko Srzic’s side and University of Galway Maree kept the scoreboard ticking over win by 18 points.
