Brilliant Killester exorcise Demons
This was Killester at their very best and coach Jonathon Grennell could not hide his delight after the game.
“We played cracking basketball because we were playing the best team in the country who had already defeated us twice this season,” Grennell said.
“Our defence was outstanding from start to finish and there was no way we would have won if we hadn’t shut down Demons various scoring threats.”
Killester now have a double header next weekend with a home game against UL Eagles and a trip to Leeside on Sunday to play Bord Gáis Neptune.
“We are close to the finish line but I have little doubt both games next weekend will test our character.”
Demons played good basketball in the opening quarter with Ciaran O’Sullivan nailing two three pointers. But Killester got back in the game and a late Michael Bonanparte basket reduced the deficit to 23-21 entering the second quarter.
It was evident Killester were getting to grips with Demons in defence, as the Cork side’s shooters were shut down in this period, 42-39 behind at the break.
Killester played smarter basketball on the restart and with Demons choosing silly shooting options, the visitors surged into a 12-point lead in the 28th minute. Trailing 63-55 entering the final quarter Demons needed inspiration from some department but they self-destructed in a crazy five-minute period that saw American Lehmon Colbert sent off for a second intentional foul.
On top of that, Demons gave away a number of technical fouls as they looked a side that had completely lost the plot.
“Killester gave us a lesson and we basically didn’t play well enough on the day but credit to them, they are a very well balanced side,” Demons captain Shane Coughlan said.
“It’s a shame with the hundreds of people that came here to support us but at this level you cannot afford to play as poorly as we did, but on the other side of the coin Killester were excellent.”
Scorers for UCC Demons: K Hosford 15, L Colbert 12, C O’Sullivan 11.
Scorers for Killester: M Bonaparte 18, M Westbrooks 17, A Casey 8.
C&S UCC DEMONS: C Anon, K Hosford, B O’Neill, C O’Sullivan, S Coughlan, D O’Sullivan, M O’Leary, N O’Reilly, A O’Sullivan, L Colbert, C O’Reilly.
KILLESTER: I Westbrooks, R Clarke, A Casey, A Colfer, J O’Neill, K O’Brien, J Behan, P Sullivan, M Westbrooks, C Roe, N Hegarty, M Bonaparte, G Reid, M Gomez.
Referees: M Nazimek (Dublin), P Dempsey (Dublin), J Robinson (Dublin).
