Price relief as O’Reilly edges Demons into semi-final
Next Saturday, cup champions Abrakebabra Tigers Tralee get the action under way when they play Merry Monk in the first of the semi-finals, followed by the UCC Demons-DART Killester clash.
The NIVEA for MEN SuperLeague final will be played on Sunday when an exciting programme will be completed by the Women’s SuperLeague final between home side UL Aughinish, and the winners of today’s semi-final between DCU Mercy and Bausch & Lomb Wildcats from Waterford.
There was nobody happier than UCC Demons coach Pat Price at the weekend after his side beat Hoops 82-78 before the familiar enthusiastic following at The Mardyke Arena.
He admitted it was a tough fight and a victory they had to grind out.
“And that’s a credit to both teams who fought this game out defensively,” he said. “I’ll admit we are very fortunate to be through.”
Demons looked to limit the offensive power of Hoops from the off. In the first quarter the Cork side benefited from strong performances from Niall O’Reilly and Benito Flores.
Hoops, however, posed a constant threat with Ian O’Boyle and Luke O’Hea shooting eight and seven, respectively, to leave the scoring 20-17 to Demons after the opening quarter.
Demons’ Americans were limited throughout the encounter by the strong defence of Hoops, but Niall O’Reilly and Niall Murphy stepped to compensate with some fantastic offensive plays. Demons led 38-35 at half time but they could never find a comfortable cushion.
And the enormity of the challenge facing them was brought home when, despite some terrific plays from Niall O’Reilly, Hoops eventually wiped out that slender lead and the sides were tied at 56 points apiece going into the final quarter.
Demons grabbed the initiative early and they held a five-point advantage with five minutes remaining. Still Hoops tormented them and were repaid for their effort when Joey Hastrup and Ben Bridges turned the game upside down to give Hoops a five-point advantage.
But there was to be one last twist as Demons led a backlash and, fittingly, it was Niall O’Reilly who sunk Hoops with a big three-pointer to put the finishing touches to a fine performance.
Merry Monk Ballina may not be over the moon about their performance at the SLC, but their 108-88 victory over Mustang Sally’s has put them through to the semi-finals.
With the local GAA club, Dr Crokes, involved in the All-Ireland Club final in Croke Park, the Killarney side had failed in their bid to get the game put back a day as they faced into the Ballina fortress. A big start from the home side with an Orlando Melendez dunk followed by a trademark three from Marriott, who dunked three seconds later, might have hinted a riot.
But Hilleary kept the visitors in touch with six points that brought them to within five of the leaders. Kinevane, Melendez and Taylor, who hit 17 in this period, had Ballina 28-16 in front at the end of the quarter.
Shane Horgan landed a three pointer at the start of the second quarter to instil some hope into Killarney hearts, but Ballina continued to creep away and, despite end-to-end baskets from Ger Noonan, they held a comfortable 51-36 advantage at half time.
Noonan continued to find buckets for Killarney and with Antonio Cool chipping in, they cut the deficit nine points before Kinevane landed back-to-back three-pointers and Melendez thrilled the crowd with back-to-back dunks — and there was still 15 points between the sides going into the final quarter, 76-61.
Taylor hit five points in the opening minute to increase Ballina’s lead and with evergreen Liam McHale containing Matthew Hilleary, Ballina were not going to be denied.
In the Women’s SuperLeague semi-final at UL Arena, UL Aughinish defeated DART Killester 70-45 to qualify for next Sunday’s final against either DCU Mercy or Bausch & Lomb Wildcats who play today.
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