Tigers’ double hopes dashed as Neptune hit the heights

NEPTUNE dashed Horans Health Stores Tigers’ hopes of a double, Gleneagle Lakers recorded their first Cup victory in seven years with a spectacular win over the specialists, Shamrock Rovers, and defending champions Mardyke UCC Demons demolished Queens when the ESB National Cup got under way at the weekend.

Neptune beat Tigers 84-75 in Tralee, Demons beat Queens 109-70, St Vincent’s beat last year’s runners-up, Star of the Sea, 81-68 and Dart Killester beat Hibernian UCD Marian 92-84 but there is no doubt about the shock of the weekend and the celebrations went on until late at the Gleneagle in Killarney after Lakers’ 103-77 win over Shamrock Rovers.

“The most we can hope for now is a home game when the draw is made at lunch time tomorrow,” Lakers’ Coach Mark Scannell said as he sung the praises of the Irish players in particular on his bench.