Ireland finally wear down brave Cyprus

IT WAS always going to be close but it took two hours and 34 minutes and two periods of overtime for Ireland to achieve a five point victory over Cyprus in a European championship semi-final round tie at The Mardyke Arena in Cork last night.

Ireland led 23-17 at the end of the first quarter, 50-36 and coasting at half-time and were still 15 points clear at the end of the third quarter.

That was when the visitors, with point guard Palalas Giorgos and Liatsos Alexis up front in spectacular form, launched the comeback that had them level at 79 points each at full time.