National Cup

Jan 05 2023

Preview: Teams gear up for the InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup semi-finals in Cork

Bright St. Vincent’s head coach Josko Srzic says University of Galway Maree are “probably the best team in the country”, ahead of the club’s first InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy Cup semi-final in 17 years, as the two sides meet in Cork on Saturday. Meanwhile, DBS Éanna head coach Darren McGovern has hailed Emporium Cork Basketball as a “fantastic side” and thinks it’ll be a “tough task” to reach get past them in this weekend’s clash at Neptune Stadium.

DBS Éanna were finalists in 2020 and semi-finalists last year, losing to eventual winners Garvey’s Tralee Warriors. The Dublin outfit have impressed so far this season, with a 9-2 record in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League.

 DBS Éanna

“We are really looking forward to the weekend. We fought extremely hard to get here and will continue to do so. Everyone is well aware of our injury list, but it's next man up since gameweek one with us, so we go again. It'll be a tough task, as Ballincollig (Emporium Cork Basketball) are a fantastic side, with great experience of winning this trophy,” McGovern said.

His counterpart, Emporium Cork Basketball player/coach Ciarán O’Sullivan, has plenty of experience in cup basketball, having lifted the Presidents’ Cup in 2020. He feels that it’ll take a big performance to book their place in the final against a DBS Éanna team that has reached the semi-final stage for the third time in a row. “Our group is really looking forward to the game. It's great to be involved in the National Cup weekend, especially when it's hosted in Cork. We are under no illusions of the threat Éanna poses. They have excellent depth, from one through 12, and have the experience of being in the semi-final the last couple of seasons. It should be a great game with any number of players who can impact the game.”

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On the other side of the draw, University of Galway Maree go head-to-head with Bright St. Vincent’s, vying for the other spot in the final. University of Galway Maree reached this stage last year, losing out to Energywise Ireland Neptune.

University of Galway Maree have been one of the standard-bearers over the last few months, with a 9-2 start to the InsureMyHouse.ie Super League, but head coach Charlie Crowley is expecting a challenging contest against the Dublin club.

“A very difficult game this weekend against an extremely strong team. This is going to be our toughest game to date and we’ve to be ready both physically and mentally if we want to put in a good performance against them.”

 Charlie Crowley, University of Galway Maree head coach

It’s a first semi-final appearance in 17 years for Bright St. Vincent’s. Buoyed by the influential Donovan Fields and Stefan Zecevic, they have proven to be a tough nut to crack in the league so far. Zecevic had averaged 22.6 points per game, before picking up an injury in Monday’s game against Killester.

 Donovan Fields of Bright St. Vincent's // @martydot

Speaking on the injury, head coach Josko Srzic said: “Stefan had an unfortunate injury in a league game this week, that is a big loss for us. We are not sure at the moment how long he will be out for, but we will not be able to count on him for the semi-final this weekend.”

Despite the injury disruption, Srzic is looking forward to the big occasion.

“Obviously it is exciting for the club to be in the semi-final of the Cup, especially after not being part of one in 17 years. We are aware of the quality of our opponents, (University of Galway) Maree being probably the best team in the country at the moment. There is not much space for mistakes, and we have to be on point in everything we do on the court. It is one game, and it has to be a battle.”

DCU Mercy head coach Mark Ingle is predicting a “very tight game” against Trinity Meteors in the InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor Cup semi-final and wants his team to put in their “best performance to date this year” on Saturday, if they’re to reach their second Cup final in succession.

DCU Mercy handed Trinity Meteors their only defeat of the season in October, 61-44. Another keenly contested game is expected, with plenty of Irish internationals on display, such as Hannah Thornton, Dayna Finn and Claire Melia gracing the court.

“This will be a very tight game against (Trinity) Meteors .We are looking forward to putting on our best performance to date this year and even though we beat Meteors in the league, we know that we will have to perform to a good level on Saturday,” Ingle said.

Head coach Niall Berry has helped steer Trinity Meteors to joint-top of MissQuote.ie Super League, but he will be eager to bridge the 27-year gap since Meteors last won the National Cup, in 1996, with a win over DCU Mercy. “Really looking forward to our cup semi-final this weekend against DCU Mercy. The Cup always brings out the best in teams and I’m sure this weekend will be no different. Preparations are going well and the girls are working hard on being ready to put in the solid performance and hopefully we can get the result we want. It has all the makings of a fantastic game and we’re very much looking forward to it.”

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 Killester

2020 Paudie O’Connor Cup champions Killester face Waterford Wildcats. Both teams have won five out of 10 games in their league campaigns this year, with Waterford Wildcats narrowly coming out on top, 80-78, when the sides met at the end of October.

Killester head coach Mark Grennell believes this game will be an excellent one for the neutrals. Karli Seay and Chanell Williams will be expected to head the scoring charts, while Irish internationals Sarah Hickey and Michelle Clarke should step up for their sides.

“Our ladies are looking forward to the game. When we played a few weeks back, we were unlucky to come out on the wrong end of the result. If that game is any indication, the neutrals should be in for a very enjoyable affair. Two excellent teams and it’ll be decided on who does the basics on the day. Limit turnovers and who handles the pressure of the big stage. They’ve outstanding players, but so do we, so we are confident.”, Grennell said.

Waterford Wildcats experienced semi-final heartache last season, narrowly losing 68-65 to DCU Mercy. Their head coach Tommy O’Mahony hopes that lessons have been learned from that experience.

“Playing in a National Cup semi-final is always special and it's great to be involved, but being here now we want to do more. We got to the same stage last year, but didn't perform like we can, I would like to think we are further along than last year, and we have learnt from our mistakes. Killester are a massive obstacle, with two outstanding Americans and Irish players that can hurt you. Last time we played them, we only got the win by the narrowest of margins. We understand what is at stake and will have to give our best for the full 40 minutes, if we are to get over the line,” O’Mahony stated.

In the InsureMyHouse.ie Presidents’ Cup, last season’s finalists Drogheda Wolves play Moy Tolka Rovers at Parochial Hall at 8pm, while at 3pm Ulster University face Malahide at Upper Glanmire Sports Hall.

 Ulster University

Upper Glanmire Sports Hall also hosts the two InsureMyHouse.ie Women’s Division 1 Cup semi-finals Phoenix Rockets will come up against Portlaoise Panthers at 5.30pm, followed by St. Paul’s Killarney versus Abbey Seals Dublin Lions at 8pm.

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Division 1 Coaches Corner:

Ulster University v Malahide

Ryan McCormack, Ulster University head coach “We're delighted to be competing with Malahide in the Cup semi-final weekend in Cork. This is our third time facing each other this season, having won and lost a game each, so I think we are two very evenly matched teams. We know each other very well, and it could come down to the team that wants it more making it through to the final. It's been a long time since our men's team competed in a game as big as the Cup semi-final, but getting to this stage and beyond is exactly what we've been building for over the last three seasons. The players have put the effort in with their preparation and attitude, and are looking forward to leaving it all on the court on Saturday in Glanmire.”

Sean Ingle, Malahide player/coach: “We’re looking forward to playing the clubs first ever National Cup semi-final at National League level. We know it’s going to be a tough game, ourselves and UUJ have had great battles over the last two seasons, which each of us going 2-2 in league play. They’re a tough opponent and have a lot of weapons, but we’re trying to focus on ourselves and what we can control over the next couple of days and hopefully that will be enough on the day.

Phoenix Rockets v Portlaoise Panthers

Breda Dick, Phoenix Rockets head coach: “Rockets like the challenge and are ready for the challenge. May the best team win.”

Jack Dooley, Portlaoise Panthers head coach: “For me the semi-final weekend is the greatest weekend in the Basketball Ireland calendar! It’s great to be heading to Cork once again, after what has been a rollercoaster of a Cup so far. The girls have been practising hard in the build-up and we will have to be on top of our game to overcome this very strong Rockets team. We are very excited for the challenge ahead on Saturday and it’s sure to be a cracker of a game.”

St Paul’s Killarney v Abbey Seals Dublin Lions

James Fleming, St Paul’s Killarney head coach: “We are really looking forward to this weekend’s Cup semi, it’s a huge occasion for the club ,we are facing a really tough challenge against a very well organised (Abbey Seals) Dublin Lions side, with two super Americans and serious youth and depth, with an excellent coach. They defeated us earlier in the year, so we are very much available of the challenge, but we are looking forward to it.”

Rob White, Abbey Seals Dublin Lions head coach: “We are delighted to be playing this late into the Cup. We know St Paul’s will be a very tough opponent, but we really feel things are starting to come together and we are starting to play with a lot of confidence. We will no doubt give everything we have to try book a spot in the final.”

Moy Tolka Rovers v Drogheda Wolves

Gerald Kennedy, Moy Tolka Rovers head coach: N/A

Dave Biggins, Drogheda Wolves head coach: “Our preparations have gone well over the break. We are fully aware we are the underdogs going into the game, following our encounters with Tolka in the league this season. However we are fully aware the Cup is something special and in a one-off game anything can happen. The team got to taste of the atmosphere and drama of the cup final last year and are set on going one step further this year.”