National Cup

Jan 11 2025

Dundalk Ravens defeat Titans BC 85-80 to advance to U20 Men's National Cup Final

Dundalk Ravens booked their spot in the U20 Men’s National Cup Final with one of the great cup comebacks – cutting down a 25-point Titans BC advantage in the second half to run out 85-80 winners at Gurranabraher Credit Union Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Gustas Pocevicius, Colm Hackett and Fraciszek Chmielecki dragged their team back into the game, combining for 45 points in the closing two quarters. It marks further heartbreak for this excellent group of Titans BC players, who lost out at the final four of the U18 Men’s National Cup and the final of the U20 Men’s National Cup a year ago.

It was the Galway side who exploded out of the traps with a 15-2 run to the midway point of the first quarter, Fortune Igbokwe, Declan Gbinigie and Stephan Owede all making their presence felt in the lane and on the glass. That lead grew to 19 points when Jason Nwose netted his first point of the game, cancelling out a Mascuud Haji bucket to leave it 25-6 at the end of the first.

Coast to coast jam for @TitansBC who are taking it to Dundalk Ravens in the U20 Men’s National Cup semi-final! 😮‍💨#NationalCup | #IrishBasketball pic.twitter.com/pvXogcxmmp
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) January 11, 2025

The Ravens began their rally in the second – Haji, Gustas Pocevicius and Colm Hackett reduced the deficit back to 14 inside a minute. That was as good as it got for the Louth outfit in the first half though, as Titans impressively regained their rhythm as the break approached. Luke Herrick and captain Eoin Potito hit from beyond the arc, while Gbinigie had his most productive quarter, hitting a trademark dunk to leave it 50-28 at half-time.

Head coach Elijah Faapito must have lit a fire under his side in the locker room because they returned to the floor with renewed belief. Chmielecki, Pocevicius and Haji all hit threes in the third as Titans shooters hit a cold spell and when Colm Hackett pounced on a Titans turnover to make a lay-up at the close of the third, the score was now 66-56 in favour of Titans and the Dundalk crowd sense an improbable comeback was on the cards.

Hugo Winston got in on the act with a pair of free throws off the back of a well timed time-out by coach Faapito and when Colm Hackett made a huge corner three with 4:10 on the clock, the gap – once as big as 25 points – was down to the minimum. Titans were also out of fouls by this point and Dundalk Ravens players started to attack the basket relentlessly. Haji, Chimelecki and Pocevicius all held their nerve from the stripe to edge Dundalk Ravens in front, 79-77 with 1:11 on the clock. Titans would never draw level.

Dundalk Ravens complete a 25-point comeback in the second half to seal the first spot in the U20 Men’s National Cup Final 😳

What a start to the day at Gurranabraher Credit Union Arena ⚡️#NationalCup | #IrishBasketball pic.twitter.com/GtzaqAS6J3
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) January 11, 2025

Dundalk Ravens were able to secure the important rebound and dribble out the clock to rapturous roars from their traveling supporters in Gurranabraher Credit Union Arena. They’ll now go on to face either Limerick Celtics or Killester in the U20 Men’s National Cup Final at the National Basketball Arena next weekend.

Quarter Scores: Q1: 25-6, Q2: 25-16 , Q3:18-28 , Q4: 14-29

Titans BC:

Liam Smith, Sam Cassidy, Eoin Hardiman, Stephan Owede, Luke Herrick, Jason Nwose, Matthew Callaghan, Eoin Potito, Declan Gbinigie, Viktor Tashev, Fortune Igbokwe, Valentino Edobor, Cassian Fuerst, Filip Stosic, Nathan Gbinigie

Head Coach: Jack Considine

Top Scorers: Eoin Potito (20), Declan Gbinige (18), Viktor Tashev (14)

Dundalk Ravens:

Colm Hackett, Mascuud Haij, Conor Maccriosta, Gustas Procevicius, Denis Daly, Franciszek Chmielecki, Hugo Winston, Abdullah Olaitan

Head Coach: Elijah Faapito

Top Scorers: Gustas Procevicius (22), Colm Hackett (22), Franciszek Chmielecki (17)