Teams learn National Cup fate as first round and quarter-finals draws take place

Defending Pat Duffy National Cup champions UCC Demons will face last year’s Presidents’ Cup winners UCD Marian in the first round, following the draw at the National Basketball Arena on Tuesday. Paudie O’Connor National Cup holders Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell host SETU Waterford Wildcats in the first round, with University of Galway Mystics, who received a bye, awaiting the winners in the quarter-finals.

Speaking after the draw Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell head coach, Liam Culloty, said: “With any cup draw you are hoping for a home draw, so we are happy to get that. SETU Waterford Wildcats will provide a tough test, as they are very well coached and have some great Irish talent in their squad. I'm sure it will be an excellent spectacle for a first round tie.”

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell players Danielle O'Leary and Lauryn Homan pose with Paudie O'Connor National Cup trophy at Cork Docklands

The only other first round tie in the Paudie O’Connor Cup saw Midland Park Portlaoise Panthers draw Trinity Meteors, with the winners having home advantage against newly promoted Utility Trust St. Paul’s in the last eight. The were four others teams who received a bye and advanced straight to the quarter-finals - FloMAX Liffey Celtics got a home draw against last year’s beaten finalists Catalyst Fr. Mathews and current Women’s Super League holders Killester are at home against The Address UCC Glanmire.

UCC Demons are targeting a ninth Pat Duffy National Cup and their head coach, Daniel O’Mahony, expressed relief to get a home tie.  “I think when it comes to the cup everyone is hoping for the home draw. Last season our cup run proved that league records go out the window in cup basketball. You can’t take anything for granted and the beauty of the competitive is its survive and advance basketball. UCD Marian - last season’s Presidents’ Cup winners - know what it’s like to be there come January, so I’m sure a cup run is something Ioannis (Liapakis) has as a goal for this campaign also.”

The victors of the UCC Demons and UCD Marian contest will have a home quarter-final against either Maree or Garvey’s Tralee Warriors.

James Hannigan, David Lehane, assistant coach Stuart Rodgers and Scott Hannigan of defending champions, UCC Demons, at Cork Docklands for National Cup photocall

Men’s Super League champions Griffith College Éanna host Belfast Star in the opening round, with the winners having a home tie against Flexachem KCYMS, who received a bye. Templeogue face Energywise Ireland Neptune, with a Killester waiting in the last eight. Last year’s beaten finalists Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig were the third team to get a first round bye, they’ll have to travel to the winners of the contest between Bright St. Vincent’s and Ej Sligo All-Stars.

In the Women’s Division One National Cup, iSecure Swords Thunder will play Templeogue in the only first round tie, the winners of that fixture will have a home quarter-final against Cleveland Rockets. Defending champions Limerick Celtics face a local derby in the quarter-finals at Limerick Sport Huskies, while last year’s finalists Abbey Seals Dublin Lions also have a derby date, at home against Oblate Dynamos. McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles host Moy Tolka Rovers to complete the last eight line-up.

In the Presidents’ National Cup, last year’s finalists Limerick Sport Eagles host Ulster University, with the winners travelling to either Titans or Scotts Lakers Killarney, who face each other in the first round. Competition debutants Carrick Cruisers play Team Northwest at home, while another making their Presidents’ Cup bow, Tipp Talons, travel to Mater Private Malahide. Elsewhere Killarney Cougars host Drogheda Wolves, Maigh Cuillinn have home advantage against ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers, Moy Tolka Rovers take on SETU Waterford Vikings and Joels Dublin Lions face Limerick Celtics.

The teams who advance from the last eight of each Cup competition will go into an open semi-final draw, which will take place following the quarter-final fixtures on December 7th/8th.