Notre Dame hot fancies to repeat Cup double success
The second semi-final will see Mardyke UCC Demons in action against St Brendan's from Tralee and they too harbour hopes of a double victory with the senior men's semi-final against Notre Dame scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.
While nothing short of a major upset should deny Notre Dame their place in the final, and possibly a fifth title at this level, there was a warning from Tralee yesterday that St Brendan's are not to be taken lightly and, in fact, they are hoping to go all the way.
St Brendan's have a membership of 120 juvenile players as well as their junior and two senior teams, both of whom have played in the senior league. In fact they represented Munster in the club championship last year. They cater for all age groups from U11 upwards but, with no competition in Kerry, they play in the Cork tournaments where they are looked after by Billy Coffey.
"It is a big stepping stone for us," Charles O'Sullivan, assistant coach to Joe Quirke, explained. "We have a good relationship with Cork. We go to all the juvenile tournaments there. So we would know all about the Cork players and they would know all about us and that is why I would have no hesitation in predicting that this is going to be a pretty close game I would say an exciting game."
They played Demons earlier this season and lost that game but he was quick to point out they were short three of their starting five that day so he was ready to dismiss that result.
"It is going to take a good team to beat those fellows if they get going. The team has been gaining a lot of experience. They have played together since their U11 days."
"We won second division under-19's two years ago and competed against Waterford and St Vincent's last year. Of those we have lost just two Liam Culloty and Kieran Donaghy who have gone to play Superleague with Frosties Tigers."
They have talent and experience in the side. Team captain, Sean Carroll is an all-round livewire. He is a former Cadet International, a tenacious defender with the ability to control the game from the point position or take the ball all the way to the basket.
Wayne O'Riordan is another outstanding young player who played alongside Sean Carroll with the Irish Cadet squad.
They face the future of UCC Demons Basketball Club tonight in what should be a thriller. Pat Price, who also coaches this team, has the height of respect for them.
"This group are a special group of kids," he said. "They have been playing together for a long time and there are lots of weapons on the team."
They make no secret of the fact they are very hungry for the cup. Last year there was a club decision to put them in the junior B cup and they feel they missed out on something big. Their focus started last year for this year.
"They have been looking forward to it all season. They have geared their preparation all year for this," said Pat Price. "St Brendan's will give us a handful. We would be the favourites but we won't taking anything for granted.
"We have an exciting group of players small forwards, wings and point guards. We have two solid point guards in Jason Barry and David Murphy. I have the luxury of choice. I can rest one and bring in the other and Brian O'Neill is a new addition. He scored 26 points in the quarter-finals against St Vincent's.
"Niall Murphy is now an Irish international kid with a huge future. At just 16 years of age he is a starter on the team and a prominent member of it."
Whatever happens, it is virtually certain the winners will meet Notre Dame and this is also a side that is the future of the club, a product of the development programme that has been nurtured by Anthony Jenkins.
The strength of the team is reflected in the fact a number of the squad Ian O'Boyle, Eddie Crudden, Conor Gallagher and Eoghan White are members of the SuperLeague squad and their standing reflects their ability 10 straight wins in recent times and favourites to land a fifth national senior cup.
This team is also going for a fifth title and with players like Eoghan White, who has been capped for Ireland at every level, who is to say they won't be denied.
Alongside his brother Ciaran, he has won many trophies for his school, Colaiste Eanna. The squad oozes class and experience.
Meanwhile, in advance of tomorrow night's senior semi-final between UCC Demons and Notre Dame, Demons' coach Pat Price is hopeful Shane Coughlan will be fully fit. He has been receiving treatment all week for a bruised thigh muscle.
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