National Cup

Jan 21 2022

InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup - Presidents' Cup final preview

UCC Demons’ Cup pedigree is without question, they’re seven-time National Cup winners, the last Pat Duffy Cup success came in 2015. On their return to National League after a season’s absence they’re into the Presidents’ Cup final and are unbeaten in the InsureMyVan.ie Division 1. Daniel O’Mahony, UCC Demons head coach, says reaching the Cup final was always the target. “The excitement around the team and the club at the moment is amazing with all talk of Tallaght this coming weekend. It was a personal and team goal and something myself and the team will not take for granted. Drogheda are a team we will need to be at our best for 40 mins to overcome. Although we have different records in the league, this is a Cup final and Drogheda overcame some some really great teams to book their place here as we did. Having the ties with DKIT they have number of victory scholars who have plenty of experience and you could see that experience in the semi-final win they had (over IT Carlow). Our mentality has not changed since week one, when we spoke about how we believe if we play to our full potential, no team in the men’s National League can match us. I think both teams will be hungry for it and has the makings to be a great Presidents Cup final.”

Drogheda Wolves are playing in their first National League campaign and head coach Gavin Garland admits reaching the Presidents’ Cup final sees the club ahead of schedule. “It’s come early and we’re delighted it’s come early. It shows that the boys have the talent. We thought they’d need longer, to get the experience of National League, so to come this early, a year or two ahead of what we had in the timeline is absolutely fantastic. The boys have been in the Cup finals before in the tier below, so they’re ready for finals, they’re used to finals. They’re prepared and it is just about obviously we’re now, instead of playing local league players, we’re playing the captain of Ireland (Kyle Hosford) and an ex-Super League club, but the boys are prepared and they’re excited. For the club, it is a great reward for all the work they’ve done in the first year (of National League).

“They (UCC Demons) play a very similar style to us and where we want to be, so I think it will be a great game. Obviously they have been playing that style for years.”

.@WolvesDrogheda head coach Gavin Garland and player Lucas Walford look ahead to the Presidents' Cup final against UCC Demons in the @Insuremyhouseie National Cup 🏀🎙️ #NationalCup pic.twitter.com/3GO6WNhcVJ
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) January 20, 2022