National Cup

Dec 02 2022

Preview: InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup reaches the quarter-final stage

Belfast Star head coach Adrian Fulton will look to draw on fond memories of their players, as they aim to reach the InsuremyHouse.ie Pat Duffy Cup semi-finals this Saturday. The experienced coach believes University of Galway Maree is the toughest draw his team could have faced, but believes they have what it takes mentally to get the job done.

“Quite a few of our players have won there in the Cup before,” said Fulton. “So we know it's not beyond us. We are looking to build on some good recent performances, but appreciate that nothing less than our best will get the job done in Oranmore - and that's the way it should be at this stage of the competition.”

If the Galway side advance it will mean a second last four appearance in succession, something not taken lightly by their head coach Charlie Crowley. “It’s flattering to be even discussed in those conversations but it’s not really something we’re talking about. We just focus solely on the preparation mentally and physically for Belfast Star.”

When asked to analyse Belfast Star’s main threats, he added; “They’ve got 12 great basketball players and a mastermind on the sideline. I don’t think I’d be doing anyone justice by pinpointing one threat.”

Killester were eliminated at this hurdle last season by Energywise Ireland Neptune. Brian O’Malley’s team face another Cork side this time around in the form of Emporium Cork Basketball. “Looking forward to the game in Cork,” said head coach Brian O’Malley. “The Cup has that magic about it and everyone wants to be in the arena in January. It's a tough draw, they obviously showed their teeth last week in beating Neptune but we'll do our best to get ourselves right and put everything into it to get into the semi’s,“ he added.

His opposite number, player/coach Ciarán O’Sullivan wants his team to make momentum a factor. “Tough game this weekend. Killester have huge experience at this level and are playing some really good basketball on both ends. We have some momentum coming off a solid win against (Energywise Ireland) Neptune, but we need to improve our focus for the full game to get the right result this weekend.”

Beaten finalists from a year ago, Enerygywise Ireland Neptune face a team who beat them just a few weeks ago in league play, DBS Eanna. Head coach of the Dublin outfit, Darren McGovern isn’t shirking the task at hand. “Neptune in Neptune Stadium is a tough draw for anyone. We had a good result there in the league and we know we will have to deliver a near-perfect performance on Saturday night. Our guys love a challenge and are looking forward to putting the pressure on Neptune.”

Energywise Ireland Neptune have been without the services of a fully fit Nil Sabata recently, but head coach Colin O’Reilly is looking forward to another special atmosphere at Neptune Stadium. “Cup week always brings some extra excitement to a club and it’s a time to enjoy. It’s joy or heartbreak with knockout basketball, so as a team will be looking to empty the tank on Saturday, looking for positive result. Éanna are the in-form side in the North Conference, so we know we will have to be at a high level from tip off to be in with a chance.”

It's a Dublin derby as former Bright St. Vincent’s head coach Josko Srzic comes up against his old side UCD Marian. “UCD are very talented team which they showed in many games this season, making it very hard for every team they played against. Obviously my former club led by Ioannis (Liapakis), who I had pleasure coaching next to in UCD, the coaching staff that I know well and I know they will come to fight on Saturday. We made a mistake of underestimating UCD in the league game earlier in the season, which we paid the price for. We learned the lesson, that cannot happen again with any team in this league. There is no special philosophy in Cup games, but to fight and leave everything on the court,” said Srzic, who hasn’t been afraid to call out his team this year.

The InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor Cup last eight gets underway when i3PT Fr.Mathews travel to Dublin to face Mark Ingle’s DCU Mercy. Niamh Dwyer, i3PT Fr. Mathews head coach is happy with their preparation: “It’s Cup, we are excited to play DCU in the quarter-final. We have been preparing well over the last week and looking forward to getting on the court and showing what we are capable of.”

The Dublin team have a vaunted history in the National Cup, but are looking to pick up their first win since the 2017/18 season. Mark Ingle will be hoping his team can go one better than a year ago, when they reached the final. ““DCU Mercy home to Fr. Mathews in the Cup quarter-finals on Saturday should be a great game. Gráinne Dwyer and Shannon Brady are both playing at a high level for Fr Mathews, so we will have to be ready for them."

Many people’s favourites to win it all will be Trinity Meteors, after they dumped out the defending champions The Address UCC Glanmire in the opening round. Ulster University will hope to have something to say about that though. Head coach Patrick O’Neill knows they will have to leave their league form behind if they are to cause a shock “It’s always special to play a Cup game and we are really looking forward to meeting Trinity Meteors. Niall (Berry) has done a great job and with their imports and Claire (Melia), they have added to what has been a talented team for a number of years. It will be a daunting task, especially in Trinity, but we will bring our ‘A’ game and if we do it will be competitive. League form is not always held up in Cup competition and that is something I have been saying to our team, in a one and done game anything can happen.”

The draw has provided both Killester and University of Galway Mystics with a prime opportunity to reach the final four. Killester have been champions as recently as the 2019/20 season, so their squad will know exactly what it takes to get it done. The Dublin team are led by Mark Grennell, who doesn’t want injuries to derail their chances: “Our ladies are looking forward to getting involved in the Cup this weekend. It’s always a nice break from the league play. It gives a team like us the opportunity to start fresh. Paul (O’Brien) has a great young group over there and is doing a fantastic job guiding them. We are both suffering with injuries, so it will be an interesting game on Saturday to see who can step up and push their team over the line to get the win. We know they play extremely hard and we have to be ready to match that tempo.”

His opposite number Paul O’Brien, who led Mystics to InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup glory a year ago added: ““We are looking forward to playing in the Cup this weekend. League form doesn't matter and we are 40 minutes away from a potential Cup semi-final. Killester are a great team and are coming off a super win against DCU (Mercy). We are still struggling a little with injuries, but we are confident if we can play our game we will be competitive on Saturday night.”

The late game on Saturday sees Waterford Wildcats make the trip north to Kildare to take on a Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics team coming into form at the right time. Karl Kilbride, Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics head coach: “Given their really impressive league form, we’re probably coming into this game as big underdogs. But as we see year-after-year, all that matters in Cup games is how you execute on the night. Wildcats pose a lot of problems; They’re really physical, one of the most athletic teams in the league. They’re really well coached and have probably the best young player in the country inside, in Sarah Hickey. Add to that, they have a really high volume scorer in (Karli) Seay, who’s caused problems all year, but we’re lucky enough to have of talent on our side too. I think the game will come down to who can control their boards. We’ve been getting better defensively each week, and if we keep that trend going, we’ll give ourselves a great chance to win.”

Waterford Wildcats have proved to be a tough out for everyone in the National League so far this season, head coach Tommy O’Mahony wants his squad to continue that trend: Tommy O’Mahony, Waterford Wildcats : “We come up against a strong Liffey Celtics team who have put in some great results of late. Playing in the Cup is always special and this is no different. We will need our players to step up and impose themselves in the game if we are to get past Liffey. They have multiple threats all over the court and with them playing at home we understand how big a task is. We all know what is at stake and the magic of the Cup is there for everyone to see. We expect a really tough battle and can't wait for the contest.”

InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor Cup - Quarter-final fixtures

Saturday 3^rd December

DCU Mercy v i3PT Fr. Mathews, DCU Arena, 2pm

Trinity Meteors v Ulster University, Trinity Sports Centre, 4pm

Killester v University of Galway Mystics, IWA Clontarf, 5.30pm

Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics v Waterford Wildcats, 7pm

InsureMyHouse.ie Women’s Division 1 National Cup – Quarter-final fixtures

Saturday 3^rd December

Phoenix Rockets v Moy Tolka Rovers, Lisburn Racquets Club, 4pm

Portlaoise Panthers v McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles, St. Mary’s Hall, 4:30pm

Limerick Sport Huskies v St. Pauls Killarney, St. Munchins, 5pm

Abbey Seals Dublin Lions v Limerick Celtics, Colaiste Bride, 3pm