Basketball: Ballina snatch shock victory

BALLINA caused the biggest upset in a sensational weekend’s basketball by dumping Dart Killester out of the ESB National Cup as the semi-finalists were decided.

Defending champions, Mardyke UCC Demons, and their neighbours, Neptune, got through in Cork and BurgerKing put Gleneagle Lakers out of contention at the UL arena.

But it was the dismissal of Dart Killester by the Division One side, Team Merry Monk, in the Ballina Sports centre, that stunned the SuperLeague and deprived Dublin fans of a representative in the penultimate stage of the Cup at the end of January.

Ballina will be the only team from outside the Southern Conference in the senior men's semi-finals and final.

Nobody relished the trip to Ballina when the draw for the quarter finals was being made but it fell to Dart Killester and their cause was not helped when inspirational new signing Keith Friel was hospitalised during the week and, after failing in their attempt to re-sign Tony Atchison, they had to travel with just one American.

They enjoyed a four point lead 35-31 at half-time and maintained a cushion for much of the second half but Ballina, inspired by the veteran of so many battles in both basketball and Gaelic football with Mayo, Liam McHale, kept driving forward and when a foul on John Larrimore with six seconds remaining provided them with the opportunity to snatch a late victory, Larrimore converted both free throws.

For the second time since departing the SuperLeague, Ballina caused a major shock in the Cup.

Neptune, who have not won the Cup since 1992, booked their place in the semi-finals with a 94-83 victory over Waterford Crystal at Neptune Stadium where Charron Watson played the starring role.

The big American, in his fourth season with Neptune, underscored his consistency over that period with a game high of 34 points, 10 defensive rebounds and six offensive rebounds that made a giant-sized contribution to the victory.

Neptune led 26-21 at the end of the first quarter, trailed 41-40 at half-time but, thanks to 13 points from Watson, were 10 points clear, 68-58, at the end of the third quarter and from here on it was just a matter of how much as Kenny Gamble, who was blowing hot and cold on the night, turned on the furnace with 10 points and plenty of entertainment.

Neptune coach Gerry Fitzpatrick walked away from the game reflecting on some promising performances from the home players and Marcus Wally, in particular, had his best game since graduating to the SuperLeague with 15 points, two offensive rebounds and nine defensive rebounds to his credit.

"Waterford proved tough and that's how we expected it to be," Charron Watson insisted. "They are low in the SuperLeague and they had nothing to lose here tonight so we expected them to go for it and they did."

Apart from Watson's 34 and Wally's 15, Kenny Gamble hit 25 points for Neptune while Rob Grant included four three-pointers in his 20 points for Waterford Crystal with Travis Jackson on 19 and Frank Wilkins on 17.

Mardyke UCC Demons were facing one of the most lethal sides in the SuperLeague when they hosted St Vincent's at the Mardyke Arena but, after trailing 33-28 at half-time they came good in the third quarter to lead 55-46 and lay the foundations for a comprehensive 83-65 victory.

"We were playing against a side that is averaging 92 points a game," Coach Pat Price pointed out. "We knew we were not capable of scoring 100 points against them so we focused on our defence and it worked out well for us."

Jermaine Turner was held to 24 points, Erik Browne to four, and Dave and Emmet Donnelly and Stephen McGuirk to single figures as well.

BurgerKing Limerick ensured that the winners from the past two years will be back at the National Basketball Arena once again when they booked their place in the semi-finals with a 78-74 win over Gleneagle Lakers in a close, tense and exciting game.

After trailing 19-18 at the end of the first quarter Gleneagle Lakers drew level before half-time but Limerick regained the initiative and led by seven points at the end of the third quarter.

Lakers worked hard in the final period, cut the game to a point midway through when they looked good with Limerick in foul trouble but holding on defiantly.

On a great day for Mardyke UCC Demons, their juniors beat Clondalkin Lakers 101-57 to make it to Cup final weekend once again with an opportunity to atone for last year's defeat at the hands of St Brendan's. Niall Murphy top-scored with 35 points with Carlton Cuffe on 20 and Brian Cummins on 19.