Demons banished by Lakers’ late comeback

UCC Demons 113 Gleneagle Lakers 120

“To be honest we thought the game was over at half time,” Lakers coach Cormac O’Donoghue admitted. “But in the second half we saw the real character of this Killarney side.”

Lakers were bombarded in the opening minutes by Gary Johnson, who hit them with five three-pointers to leave them reeling on a 35-14 scoreline at the end of the opening quarter.

Demons led by double scores - 46-23 - four minutes into the second quarter and enjoyed a 32 -point advantage, 57-25, with 4:60 on the clock.

Half time saw them sitting pretty on a 67-40 cushion as they watched the team that won their first cup back in 1986 honoured at the break.

Four minutes of intensity saw Lakers claw their way back into the game but the margin was still 20 points and just when they appeared to be getting their house in order Johnson stepped up for two more three-pointers. Colin O’Reilly hit them with another and the margin was still 26 points at the end of the third quarter.

It appeared as if Demons had absorbed everything, but then Lakers came thundering back. Kevin Goggins began to dominate, Justin Wingard stepped up another gear, Eoin O’Brien began to re-assert himself and Daninius Varanauskas came off the bench again for three three-pointers and three more from the line.

The fourth quarter was all about Lakers. After four minutes the margin was 17 points; then Jarlath Lee came off the bench for 10 points. With just over five minutes on the clock the margin was down to 10 points and then Varanauskas landed two three-pointers and two from the line with just a token response from Demons that left the margin at three points. Michael Plichta was fouled out for Demons - Michael Doles would walk later - and O’Brien tied the game at 101 apiece before landing a free throw to see Killarney lead for the first time with three minutes left.

Technical fouls on Tim O’Halloran and Niall O’Reilly saw Coggins and Wingard increase the lead and when Coggins went to the line for two more, they had a nine-point advantage. Colin O’Reilly battled back with a three-pointer and two baskets and Shane Coughlan landed a three as they trimmed the margin to five, but Lakers had the final say.

Top scorers: UCC Demons: Gary Johnson 30, Colin O’Reilly 28, Michael Doles 20. Gleneagle Lakers: Kevin Coggins 30, Justin Wingard 19, Eoin O’Brien 19.

DART Killester followed up on Friday night’s win over Shamrock Rovers Hoops with an impressive 79-75 victory away to Roma St Vincent’s, while Merry Monk Ballina, who must play Killarney in two weeks’ time, also brushed their cup semi-final blues away to beat UCD 89-90.

UL Aughinish and DART Killester, who meet in the final of the Women’s SuperLeague Cup next weekend, both had wins, Killester beating Mustang Sally’s St Paul’s 79-75 and Limerick beating Peugeot Meteors 61-55.

Table toppers Vienna Woods Glanmire beat Oblate Dynamos 78-51.