National Cup

Dec 04 2022

University of Galway Maree and Waterford Wildcats among InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup quarter final winners

The semi-final lineups for the InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup have been confirmed after some statement wins across the board from the likes of Emporium Cork Basketball, University of Galway Maree and Waterford Wildcats at the quarter final stage.

Ciarán O’Sullivan labelled it a ‘real breakthrough’ for Emporium Cork Basketball, as they saw off the challenge of Killester thanks to a strong fourth quarter. The Cork side had led the game for the majority, but Killester dug deep, buoyed by the 28 points of Gregorio Jesus Adon Encarnacion to find themselves back in the lead late in the third. John Dawson stood out for Emporium Cork Basketball in a dominant display, notching 20 points of his own in the 74-62 win to set up a semi-final against DBS Éánna.

 John Dawson, 20 points

Speaking after the game, head coach Ciarán O’Sullivan expressed his delight.

“Massive win, and a real breakthrough for our club. Killester were excellent throughout and battled hard despite having some injuries and illness coming into the game. We produced a very good fourth quarter to get us over the line and now look forward to a National Cup Semi final next month.”

High flyers University of Galway Maree had an answer to everything that Belfast Star could throw at them as the two sides met in the quarter final, coming out on top 92-77. Adrian Fulton’s side found themselves up by as much as 11 in the third quarter, but the home support rallied Maree to the semi-final. Joe-Junior Mvuezolo top scored for Charlie Crowley’s team with 33 points, Belfast Star’s Chrishon Briggs shot 32 in defeat. The win sets up an intriguing semi-final date against Bright St. Vincent’s for the Galway side.

“Delighted to get the win against Star. Was a true cup game. The lads really showed great mental strength when things weren’t going our way. We move on now to the league game against Belfast this Saturday again,” said Charlie Crowley, head coach of University of Galway Maree.

 Joe Junior-Mvuezolo

Darren McGovern’s DBS Éanna have been a force to be reckoned with of late, Saturday nights clash with Energywise Ireland Neptune proved that. The home team would’ve fancied their chances with the likes of Jordan Blount (24) and Nil Sabata (18) in their arsenal, but the Dublin side prevailed, fighting off a late flurry from Neptune to secure their semi-final spot on a 97-93 scoreline.

 Mark Reynolds od DBS Éanna

McGovern praised the overall performance of the team, highlighting the shared scoring prowess and a special mention for one player.

“I'm delighted with the overall team performance. Six guys in double figures scoring and everyone contributed to key defensive stops! I've to mention Mark Reynolds' performance. Rolled back the years and was fantastic and Josh Wilson had a huge triple double to push the team on!”

In a shootout between two of the brightest talents in Irish basketball, Jonathan Jean (28) and Donovan Fields (33), it was the latter who came out on top in the quarter final with Bright St. Vincent’s getting the better of UCD Marian. It was a solid start for the youthful UCD Marian side, but it proved too tough to bridge the gap opened up by Josko Srzic’s side. They passed the mettle test this time out, but the challenge of University of Galway Maree next time out will be a challenging one.

DCU Mercy were convincing winners in the first of the InsureMyHouse.ie quarter finals, overcoming i3PT Fr Mathews on a 92-67 scoreline. The duo of Lindsey Abed and Nicole Clancy combined for 47 points, as Mark Ingle’s side established a gap between the sides in the middle of the second to lead them to a comfortable victory, setting up Dublin derby semi-final against Trinity Meteors.

 Nicole Clancy of DCU Mercy

Speaking after the game, DCU head coach Mark Ingle said: “Very good win from our team . I was especially delighted with our defensive performance in the second half and a very balanced scoring effort on offence.”

In-form Trinity Meteos welcomed Ulster University to the college in their quarter final matchup. It was a close affair, edged out 75-67 by Niall Berry’s Trinity Meteors side, Emily Maupin of Ulster University top scored with 24 in defeat, while Sarah Kenny (18) and Claire Melia starred for the victors.

Speaking after the game, Trinity Meteors head coach Niall Berry highlighted the performance of some younger players on the panel.

"We were delighted to get the win and advance to the cup semi finals. Ulster are a very good side who play great team basketball and can really score the ball. I was very happy with how our girls adapted throughout the game and worked together to find solutions to their scoring threats.

"I was particularly happy with the energy we got from some of our younger players throughout the game. They’ve been very patient waiting for their opportunities in the team and they showed yesterday that when they get those opportunities they can add a lot of depth to our team."

On the other side of the draw, Killester made sure of their semi-final spot, coming out on top against University of Galway Mystics. The scoreline was neck and neck throughout most of the first half, but Killester showed their class to keep their opponents at arms length deep in the second half. Chanell Williams top scored with an impressive 31 points for Killester, leaving them with a semi-final against Waterford Wildcats to come.

 Michelle La Grue photography

Speaking after the win, Killester head coach Mark Grennell praised his side’s efforts.

“Fantastic win for the girls. We are delighted to be involved in the semi final weekend. University of Galway Mystics had a real bounce to their step and showed their quality as they return to full health. We played well behind a big game from Chanell with 31 points. They exploited our mistakes and did a good job of disrupting our offence so we know the work we need to do for next week and going forward. The girls will park this competition now and focus on our next three league games.”

Waterford Wildcats once again showed grit late on to see out a 91-86 win against Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics, booking their spot in the semi-final. Tommy O’Mahony’s side led from the get-go, but Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics proved tough, personified by the 26 point showing of Justice Coleman, as Karli Seay scored 28 for Waterford Wildcats.

Tommy O’Mahony expressed his delight at the spirit shown in the Waterford Wildcats performance.

“Absolutely thrilled to get over the line, Liffey are a really good team and caused us a lot of problems. There was a stage in the game where everything they shot went in, but in fairness to our girls. they never dropped their heads. It was a titanic battle with nothing between the sides. We are back in league action next week where we face another away trip to Liffey [Celtics], we will need to get a hard week of training done in order to be ready for another tough contest.”

In InsureMyHouse.ie Women’s Division 1 National Cup, Abbey Seals Dublin Lions were victorious against Limerick Celtics on a 75-44 scoreline to set up a semi-final against St. Paul’s Killarney. Amelia Motz top scored for the Dublin team with 25.

St Paul’s Killarney will be a tough side to beat in the semi, coming off the back of a big 87-51 win over Limerick Sport Huskies. Yuleska Ramirez Tejeda (32) and Sofia Paska (24) starred for the Kerry team.

On the other side of the draw, unbeaten Portlaoise Panthers survived a late scare from McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles to advance through to the semi-final on a 76-74 scoreline, The home side had led by as much as 20, but McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles kept plugging away, coming close to a scalp. Jessica Fressle top scored with 25 for Portlaoise Panthers.

It will be the challenge of Phoenix Rockets in the semi-final for Portlaoise Panthers, after Rockets were victorious against Moy Tolka Rovers, beating them 72-57. Jessica Fairweather top scored with a 35 point haul.

In InsureMyHouse.ie President's National Cup Malahide narrowly beat SETU Carlow 85-78, with Trevor Recio leading the way on 23 points. That sets up a Malahide versus Ulster University semi-final, who saw off Portlaoise Panthers 80-70, with the in-form Conor O’Sullivan posting 33 points in their win.

Moy Tolka Rovers won 73-65 at Abbey Seals Dublin Lions, Ramunas Ramanauskas scored 22 for the victors, while Matt Treacy notched up 20 points to a semi-final date against Drogheda Wolves.

Drogheda Wolves were 90-83 winners against Limerick Celtics. They had led by as many as 22, but Limerick Celtics stuck in to narrowly lose out. Top scorer on the day was talisman Joshua Reynolds of Limerick Celtics, on 37 points.

InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor Cup - Quarter-final results

Saturday 3rd December

DCU Mercy 92-67 i3PT Fr. Mathews

Trinity Meteors 75-67 Ulster University

Killester 84-71 University of Galway Mystics

Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics 86-91 Waterford Wildcats

InsureMyHouse.ie Women’s Division 1 National Cup – Quarter-final results

Saturday 3rd December

Phoenix Rockets 72-57 Moy Tolka Rovers

Portlaoise Panthers 76-74 McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles

Limerick Sport Huskies 51-87 St. Pauls Killarney

Abbey Seals Dublin Lions 75-44 Limerick Celtics