Moy Tolka Rovers clinch semi-final berth after overtime win while Oblate Dynamos and Limerick Celtics enjoy derby success

Moy Tolka Rovers clinched a dramatic 89-87 overtime win at home to Mater Private Malahide to book their place in the last four of the President’s National Cup on Saturday night, while, in the Women’s Division One National Cup, there was derby success for both Oblate Dynamos and Limerick Celtics in their respective quarter-final dates with Abbey Seals Dublin Lions (73-68) and Limerick Sport Huskies (81-71). 

A last-gasp jump shot by Mike Wallace saw Moy Tolka Rovers break the hearts of Mater Private Malahide as they pipped their Dublin rivals for a place in the President’s National Cup semi-finals following a dramatic 89-87 overtime win at home on Saturday night.

Trailing their hosts by 10 just two minutes into the fourth quarter, Malahide fought their way back to level the game at 80 points apiece and force overtime, Murray Hendry playing a huge part in that comeback with his game-high 33 points and massive 21 rebounds.

And, while a late three from Sean Fitzpatrick again restored parity for the visitors with seven seconds to go in that additional period, there was still time for Wallace to produce a winner, taking his tally to 17 on a night that also saw Emiliyan Grudov card 23 points for the hosts.

“That was a great character win for us” remarked Vincent O’Keeffe, Tolka Rovers head coach.

“We had two bad losses coming into this game and we had spent a lot of time during the week, discussing that and how we could get better, and so, from a character point of view, the lads came out and did a really good job.

“Malahide played a super game and Murray Hendry was just unstoppable. We knew it was going to be a tough game and I’m just glad we came out on the right side of it” he said.

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers weathered a huge fight-back by Drogheda Wolves to win out 82-69 in Ballymakenny College on Saturday night to secure their place in the last four of the President’s National Cup for the very first time.

Having opened up a huge 25-point lead early in the second quarter, Portlaoise saw that advantage completely wiped out as Drogheda fought back on to level terms late in the third.

But the visitors regained a foothold in this tie, producing a decisive fourth-quarter surge thanks in no small measure to their big hitters, James Phelan, Eric Anderson and Xabi Arriaga who put up a combined 56 points.

Speaking after his side’s second win over Drogheda in three weeks, Portlaoise head coach, Jack Scully said “It’s the first time the men’s team in the club has ever got to the National Cup semi-finals, so it’s great. We’re absolutely thrilled. We can’t wait for Cork now.”

Titans BC started and finished impressively to earn a hard-fought 94-91 victory over Limerick Sport Eagles in their quarter-final match-up in Ballinfoile Community Centre on Saturday.

Alexander Carlisle amassed a colossal 50 points for the visitors on the night, but even that could not prevent them falling just short against a Titans team that had five players in double figures, including Michael Hayes and Fortune Igbokwe on a combined 45 points and 20 rebounds.

Limerick Celtics completed this season’s President’s National Cup semi-final line-up after recording a 91-74 success over Carrick Cruisers when the two sides clashed in the last eight in Crescent College.

Looking to maintain their unbeaten run this season, Limerick pulled clear of their opponents thanks in no small part to the efforts of Abdul Wurie, Finn Hughes and Ariyon Williams, who totalled 66 points between them.

The two Saturday night Women’s Division One National Cup quarter-finals resulted in derby wins for both Oblate Dynamos and Limerick Celtics.

The former edged Abbey Seals Dublin Lions 73-68 in Coláiste Bríde, Adia Brisker spearheading their drive to the semis with a game-high 34 points that included four conversions from beyond the arc, in addition to 12 rebounds.

It was a much-needed contribution for the Drimnagh side who had only one win chalked up so far this season as they headed into this cup derby against a Dublin Lions outfit for whom Sofia Paska chalked up 28 points and a huge 18 rebounds on Saturday evening.

“Losing heavily to Lions in the league and seeing how nobody was giving us a realistic chance of getting the win just seemed to fire the girls up” remarked Terry Staunton, Oblate Dynamos head coach. “They really worked as a team at both ends of the floor”

“We have a very young squad this year, but we are starting to bond as a group now and it was great to see how happy the players were on Saturday night after beating a very strong Lions team, because we've had a tough first couple of months together” he added.

Limerick Celtics ran out 81-71 winners in their cup derby against Limerick Sport Huskies in St. Munchin’s on Saturday night.

Stephanie McBride and Amy Buckley led the charge for them with a combined 45 points, both also proving huge for Celtics in attacking the boards as they mopped up a massive 29 rebounds, with Shelby Harmeyer carding an additional 10.

“It was a fantastic team win, and having four players scoring in double digits was a major factor” said Limerick Celtics head coach, Jordan Hehir.

“The Huskies have been impressive, so we knew this would be a tough game. It required us to dig deep and execute effectively on both ends of the floor” he added.

iSecure Swords Thunder ended a four-game winning streak for Cleveland Rockets, beating them 72-59 in ALSAA to advance to the Women’s Division One National Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

Makayla Miller had a huge game for the Dublin side, chalking up 27 points, 15 rebounds and six assists that more than addressed the impressive show by Cleveland’s Caitlin Gloeckner, who emerged with 23 points and 10 rebounds to her name.

McEvoys Cavan Eagles carried their tremendous league form into cup competition, surmounting the challenge of Moy Tolka Rovers 76-54 in Virginia Show Centre on Sunday.

Rahmena Henderson enjoyed a big return for the homeside, carding 29 points and eight rebounds, while Lanetta Williams and Emma Tolan combined for a further 30 on the scoreboard.