Star show by Murphy as Demons double-up with junior victory

Mardyke UCC Demons 76 Dart Killester 67

His contribution to the season was just about highlighted by a game high of 35 points against a Clondalkin side that went to the quarter-finals of the ESB Men’s Junior Cup.

Murphy went on to make a major contribution to Mardyke UCC Demons demolition of a weak Westaro Castlebar in the semi-finals and then he turned in a stellar performance as he fired the Cork side to a nine point junior men’s triumph over Dart Killester, who had dethroned defending champions, Shamrock Rovers so impressively the previous afternoon.

Murphy’s contribution of 23 points ­ including four punishing three pointers right from the back row - only helped highlight his impact on the game for he rebounded repeatedly and magnificently and he ran the court with unlimited energy to provide his teammates with both service and inspiration.

And his teammates responded in kind. Take Carlton Cuffe, the lean, mean guard who danced his way through the opposition in what was an exciting and entertaining final played out at a relentless pace that was set very early on by Cuffe with four valuable baskets.

On the other side the Westbrook brothers, Isaac and Aaron, on whom Dart Killester relied for so much of their play, had the life squeezed out of them at times although Isaac came out of this final stamped with the hallmark of one destined for greatness. Despite the presence of David Murphy, Cuffe and Brian Cummins who always had him in their sights, he came away with 23 points ­ including three downtown three-pointers ­ and there was precious little else he could have done to swing the game.

Dave Murphy put the frustration of missing last year’s losing semi final behind him with a weekend to remember. He was a big contributor as Demons took the initiative early in the game and led by 20-11 at the end of the first quarter.

And he remained cool under the pressure when Killester fought back with nine points from Isaac Westbrooks to draw level at half time when the sides were tied at 31 points apiece.

He shot Demons into the lead with a big three pointer after the break and from here on it was plain sailing. Niall Murphy took control with two three-pointers and Brian Cummins who had been relishing his defensive role in the first half struck with two more three-pointers that left Killester facing a 55-48 third quarter deficit they would never recover from, despite a renewed effort from Aaron Westbrooks in the final quarter.

Top Scorers for Mardyke UCC Demons: N. Murphy 23; C. Cuffe 22, B. Cummins 15, D. Murphy 11.

Top Scorers for Dart Killester: I. Westbrooks 23, A. Westbrooks 19, J. Behan 15.