Carrick Cruisers reach final of InsureMyHouse.ie Men's National Intermediate Cup Competition

Carrick Cruisers led from start to finish as they defeated Dublin Raiders 81-56 to reach the final of InsureMyHouse.ie Men's National Intermediate Cup Competition.

Carrick Cruisers established an early 11 point lead in the first quarter, 19-8, before Andy Bartley three point jump shot for Dublin Raiders two and a half minutes left narrowed the deficit.

Carrick Cruisers brought a 22-14 lead into the second quarter and they built on that advantage - a shotclock buzzer beating two from the corner with 90 seconds to go from Danas Smigelskis had Carrick Cruisers 43-28 up, it would be 44-32 at half-time.

Carrick Cruisers had a 20 point advantage, 63-43, by the end of the third and with their points scoring spread evenly throughout the team they were proving hard to contain for Dublin Raiders.

Andrew O’Connor picked up seven of his 14 point total in the fourth quarter for Carrick Cruisers. Meanwhile Bartley was trying to make inroads for Dublin Raiders, he had a game-high 17 points, with five of his scores coming from the three point line. Carrick Cruisers never looked like they were going to relinquish this contest and won it 81-56 to book a final spot against either Éanna or Neptune, who were playing later at Neptune Stadium on Sunday.

Carrick Cruisers players celebrate at the end of their 81-56 win over Dublin Raiders in the InsureMyHouse.ie Men's National Intermediate Cup Competition.

All 11 games from the National Cup finals weekend will be live on basketballireland.tv, while the InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy National Cup final and InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor Cup final will both be broadcast live on TG4 too.

Dublin Raiders 56–81 Carrick Cruisers 

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 14-22 , Q2: 32-44, Q3: 43-63, Q4: 56-81

Dublin Raiders:

Neil Curran, Jeff McCann, Shane Davidson, Derek Bracken, Inarts Vitols, Ryan Pepper, Andy Bartley, Neil Doyle, Shane Byrne, Goderdzi Patsia, Brendan O’Neill, Alex Dolenko

Head Coach: Sean Ingle

Top Scorers: Andy Bartley 17, Inarts Vitols 10, Neil Curran and Goderdzi Patsia (both 8)

Carrick Cruisers:

Danas Smigelskis, Justin Rosnagaran, Audrius Urbanavicius, Andrew O’Connor, Killian McAdam Martin Provizors, Kestas Jonusas, Ignas Vaisvila, Ramunas Ramanauskas, Rimvydas Valantonis, Vitalijus Kaminskas

Head Coach: Kevin O’Hanlon

Top Scorers:  Danas Smigelskis and Ramunas Ramanauskas (both 16), Andrew O’Connor and Martin Provizors (both 14)