Sport

University of Galway Maree and Waterford Wildcats among those to progress to InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup semi’s

***DBS Éanna win at Energywise Ireland Neptune, Emporium Cork Basketball player/coach Ciaran O’Sullivan hails* *“real breakthrough” with win over Killester***

The semi-final line-ups for the InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup have been confirmed following some statement quarter-final wins by the likes of University of Galway Maree, Emporium Cork Basketball, Bright St. Vincent’s, DCU Mercy and Waterford Wildcats.

High-flyers University of Galway Maree, who have lost only once this season, had an answer to everything that Belfast Star could throw at them, 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 helped rally 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.

Speaking afterwards, University of Galway Maree head coach Charlie Crowley said: “Delighted to get the win against Star, it 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.”

University of Galway Maree will now face Bright St. Vincent’s in the semi-finals, after Josco Srzic overcame his former side UCD Marian, 93-75. Donovan Fields led scoring for the victors, on 33 points, backed up by Stefan Zecevic (16) and Robert Graham (15). Jonathan Jean had 28 points for UCD Marian.

Emporium Cork Basketball player/coach Ciarán O’Sullivan labelled it a “real breakthrough”, as they saw off the challenge of Killester, 74-62, 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 win, to set up a semi-final against DBS Éánna.

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O’Sullivan expressed his delight in the aftermath. “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.”

Darren McGovern’s DBS Éanna have been a force to be reckoned with of late, Saturday night’s clash with Energywise Ireland Neptune proved that. The home team would have 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. Sean Jenkins top scored for the Dublin side, with 19, while Joshua Wilson and Mark Reynolds had 18 each.

McGovern highlighting the shared scoring prowess. “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 – he rolled back the years and was fantastic and Josh Wilson had a huge triple double to push the team on.”

DCU Mercy were convincing 92-67 winners over i3PT Fr. Mathews in the first of the InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor Cup quarter-finals. 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.

DCU Mercy 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.”

Other games

In-form Trinity Meteors edged Ulster University 75-67 in their last eight encounter. Claire Melia, fresh from her recent MVP against the Netherlands in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 qualifiers, continued her fine form with 17 points, while fellow Irish international Sarah Kenny had 18. Emily Maupin, of Ulster University, top scored with 24.

Trinity Meteors head coach Niall Berry highlighted the performance of some younger players in the panel. "We are 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 that when they get those opportunities, they can add a lot of depth to our team."

On the other side of the draw, Killester defeated University of Galway Mystics 84-71. The scoreline was neck and neck throughout most of the first half, but Killester showed their class to keep their opponents at arm’s 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.

Killester head coach Mark Grennell praised his side’s efforts after the victory. “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 returned to full health. We played well behind a big game from Chanell (Williams), 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 semi-final spot. 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.

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Karli Seay scored 28 for Waterford Wildcats and Tommy O’Mahony hailed the spirit shown by his players. “Absolutely thrilled to get over the line, Liffey (Celtics) 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 last four, 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, winning 76-74. 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.

They’ll face Phoenix Rockets in the semi-finals, after Rockets were 72-57 victors over Moy Tolka Rovers, inspired by a 35 point haul from Jessica Fairweather.

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. The in-form Conor O’Sullivan posted 33 points in Ulster University’s 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 Pat Duffy Cup - Quarter-final results

Saturday 3rd December

Emporium Cork Basketball 74-62 Killester

Energywise Ireland Neptune 93-97 DBS Éanna

University of Galway Maree 92-77 Belfast Star

Bright St. Vincent’s 93-75 UCD Marian

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