A buzzer-beating two-point jump shot at the finish from Keelan Cairns saw Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU seal a dramatic 78-76 win over Garvey's Tralee Warriors in the InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy Cup semi-finals.
It is the first time that Ballincollig have reached the Pat Duffy Cup final, having won their inaugural Super League title last season.
Asked what was running through his mind as he received the ball, Cairns said: "Get it up before the buzzer goes. I didn’t really see the basket, I guess my height is good for something! I just turned around and shot the ball. I was watching it and luckily it went in – it feels good! I honestly don’t think I have ever had a buzzer beater like that, a national buzzer beater, so yeah I’ll call it my finest closing moment there for sure."
There was little between the sides in the opening half as Tralee led 20-16 at the end of the first and it was Ballincollig who were marginally ahead, 26-25, midway through the second quarter after Adrian O’Sullivan’s three, his second of evening.
Andre Nation - who returned to Ballincollig after a year’s absence - rattled off seven points in less than 30 seconds, finished off by a three point jump shot in the corner to put the Cork club 37-31 up with two minutes to go in the second quarter.
A Kieran Donaghy turnover and assist for Daniel Jokubaitis with the final play of the quarter closed the deficit, Ballincollig ahead 39-36 at half-time.
Ballincollig began the third brightly, another Adrian O’Sullivan three helped put them 52-41 up four minutes in. An Eoin Quigley three with the shotclock running out, followed shortly afterwards by two free throws from Caleb Jordan had Tralee seven behind, 58-51 with two and a half minutes to go in the third. It was a 13 point game by the end of the quarter, a Shawdale Jones Jr jump shot closed it out to make it 66-53 to the Cork side.
Tralee needed a quick start, but fell further behind, 70-53, however, a 15-point run, started off by Ryan Leonard’s three-point jump shot and finished off by Caleb Jordan’s two-pointer and additional free throw made it 70-68 with 4’41" left.
Tralee lost Ryan Leonard to injury for the last four minutes and then Jarvis Doles exited after he picked up his fifth foul with 2’11 to go, however the game was still finely poised, the Kerry club still just two behind 74-72.
John Dowling’s side had a trio of free throws by Caleb Jordan, which saw Tralee go in front with 1’21 remaining, 75-74. Nation powered down the court and was fouled with 32 seconds to go and he held his nerve to slot his two free throws.
Five seconds later it was the turn of Jordan, he could only slot one of his two attempts, 76-76 apiece.
It all came down to the final play as Ballincollig had possession with nine seconds remaining, and the ball eventually landed in the hands of Cairns, who defied the buzzer and sealed a spot in the final as a result.
They will play UCC Demons in the final at the National Basketball Arena on Saturday, 20 January.
