University of Galway Maree won their first ever InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy National Cup title, after a Jarett Haines inspired them to a 74-69 victory over DBS Éanna.
The pacey Haines hit 35 points on the way to claiming the MVP. The game itself was in the balance throughout, with 10 lead changes, which had spectators at a sold out National Basketball Arena on the edge of their seats.
University of Galway Maree made an excellent start, Stephen Commins got them off the mark with a three point jump shot from the corner and they were 9-0 up after a basket from Zvonimir Cutuk and a fast-break and layup by Haines.
With four minutes gone DBS Éanna finally got their first points from Neil Lynch's three. It was level at 12-12 with two and a half minutes to go in the first, following Joshua Wilson’s layup and a long range three by Mark Tomic, which put DBS Éanna ahead 15-12. However it was University of Galway Maree who had the slenderest of advantages, 21-20, at the end of the quarter following Haines’ layup.
The second quarter was a lower scoring affair, a three from the corner with 6’50 left from Scott Kinevane made it a one-point game once more, 24-23.
DBS Éanna lost the influential Mark Reynolds midway through the second quarter after an accidental clash of heads with Zvonimir Cutuk, which led to a broken nose. There was just two points between the sides at half-time, DBS Éanna leading 34-32.
DBS Éanna made a fast start to the third quarter and were up by eight points in the fourth minute of it, 44-36, following a lovely three by Stefan Desnica. But University of Galway Maree - inspired by Haines - wrestled their way back in front 45-44 with a nine point run, seven of those points from the electric Haines, including one as he tumbled to the floor, and it led to DBS Éanna calling a timeout.
The fourth quarter was frantic with the lead changing several times once more. With 4’51 to go Haines landed another three, to put University of Galway Maree ahead, 60-57.
It sparked yet another rendition of Fields of Athenry by their fans at the other end of the court. A three from the corner by John Burke had the Galway club 67-61 up with 2’33 on the clock and Darren McGovern called his players in for a timeout once more.
Haines was the driving force throughout, another three with 49.8 seconds remaining put University of Galway Maree 72-63 up and that seemed to be that. A nerveless three by Jenkins at 10.2 seconds left kept DBS Éanna afloat and they trailed 72-66, but two Haines free-throws ended all hope.
