UCC Demons beat Titans in thriller to reach InsureMyHouse.ie U20 Men’s National Cup final

UCC Demons were dramatic 76-74 winners over Titans to reach the InsureMyHouse.ie U20 Men’s National Cup final. A last gasp three-point basket attempt from Brian Gaffney landed, however the clock had run out before he’d released the ball and UCC Demons clung on for victory, in a thrilling contest at Neptune Stadium. The outstanding Ben Horgan scored 26 points for the victors, including seven from the three-point line 

Titans raced to an early 7-0 lead, Ben Powell’s three among the scores. UCC Demons got themselves back into the contest and trailed 18-16 by the end of the quarter, Matthew McCarthy hitting eight points for the Cork side in the process.

The second quarter belonged to UCC Demons, Ben Horgan’s three pointer made it 36-25 with four minutes to go and Jake Orji added two free throws to extend the Demons lead. The Titans managed to close that gap thanks to a 7-point run, Nonso Kawekwune getting the final basket in that sequence. But the last score of the quarter came from Cian O’Sullivan, a layup after getting to the offensive rebound first, to make it 40-32 to Demons at the break.

Titans started brightly in the third, Joseph Coughlan’s basket made it a one-point game, as Titans trailed 40-39 three minutes in. Horgan was potent from outside, he landed two more 3-pointers, bringing his tally to five at that stage and helped stretch UCC Demons lead back up to six, 48-42, with just under three minutes to go in the third. Again Titans responded, Joseph Coughlan’s free throw brought it within a point, but Horgan’s basket meant it was Demons in front 50-47.

Joseph Coughlan was instrumental for Titans, he started the fourth quarter with five points, to put them in front 52-50 and he’d finish the game with a 30 point tally. The lead continued to change hands, but with two and a half minutes to go it was 73-68 to Titans, however Horgan’s three point jump shot with a little over two minutes to go got UCC Demons back up and running. Orji was a physical presence in the paint for UCC Demons and his layup brought it level, before a layup from Matthew McCarthy had them two up, 75-73 with 1’20 to go.

The sides exchanged a point each from the free throw line after that and with 2.5 seconds to go Titans had possession, but they couldn’t get the all-important basket and UCC Demons hung on for the win.

Titans 74-76 UCC Demons

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 18-16 , Q2: 32-40 Q3: 47-50, Q4: 74-76

Titans:

Jude Langan, Jackson Soper, Ben Powell, Brian Gaffney, Liam O’Conaola, Dran Coughlan, Brendan Hardiman, Tommy Burns, Joseph Coughlan, Nonso Kawekwune, Sam Cassidy, Michael Papoola, Eoin Hardiman, Declan Gbinigie

Head coach: Ben Kelly

Top Scorers: Joseph Coughlan (30), Brian Gaffney (15), Jackson Soper (9), Brendan Hardiman (7), Declan Gbinigie (4)

Blue Demons:

Jack O’Leary, Matthew McCarthy, Marvyn Konan, Cian O’Sullivan, Donnacha Barry, Colin Hannigan, James Tobin, Daryl Cuff, Ben Horgan, Isaac Eroutteh, Craig Hoare, Jake Orji

Head coach: Shane McCarthy

Top Scorers: Ben Horgan (26), Matthew McCarthy (20), Colin Hannigan (9), Jake Orji (9), Jack O’Leary and Isaac Eroutteh (both 5)