Top two ready for Cup final showdown
When the sides met in November in the SuperLeague, DART Killester were comprehensive 98-86 winners, victory that will count for nothing when the charts are wiped clean for this clash of the titans.
“The two best teams in the SuperLeague have reached the final of the Cup and that does not normally happen,” Killester coach, Mark Keenan, said. “It is fitting the two of us are there and I think it is going to be very exciting for the fans.”
Both teams have been leading their respective conferences all season. Demons’ only loss was to Killester while Killester went down to DCU Saints and then suffered another reality check at the hands of Limerick Lions on the eve of their semi-final clash with Abrakebabra Tigers.
“I would look on those losses as a timely wake-up call,” Keenan said: “It told us not to be getting too cocky and, more importantly, we now know that if we don’t perform we can be beaten.”
Corkman Kieran O’Brien has lost the struggle with his dodgy knee and will be missing again on Sunday, but Keenan has only had him for a couple of games all season and was ready for that.
Before the season tipped off at all, Killester and Demons had been singled out as the big teams in this year’s SuperLeague so there was pressure on both right from the start.
“The expectations were so high,” Keenan said.
“But there is a lot expected from Demons as well. They have only lost one game all season and their form has been very good. The return of Colin O’Reilly has really made them very strong.
“OK we’ve lost two games and a few of our performances have been indifferent. But we won 10 straight and it is difficult to keep that momentum going.
“ I am happy enough that we have lost one or two games. It just gives us that bit of a reminder that if we don’t turn up to play it won’t just happen.”
He has outstanding players likes Paddy Kelly, MVP in last year’s final and who has hit form at precisely the right time, Michael Bonaparte who is due a big game and John Behan, who has been consistency personified all season.
“This is going to be a team performance,” Keenan added: “And I have 12 guys that can play and 12 guys that want to play. It has not been easy getting everybody in and out of the game.”
Douglas Leichner is relishing life in the sunshine since taking over as coach of UCC Demons.
“When I was researching this position I had a lot of people warn me that Demons have high expectations — they want to win the cup, they want to win the league — and I have embraced that,” he said.
“I have those expectations as well. I want to win the cup and I want to win the SuperLeague and Demons have the infrastructure, they have the Irish players, they have the facilities at the Mardyke Arena, and they have fantastic support.”
He will experience that support like never before when the National Basketball Arena is submerged in that familiar sea of blue next Sunday but he aims to please them.
“I have a great team. They have a high basketball IQ. They are very smart. Pat Price who coached them for a number of years instilled a lot of fundamentals in them.
“Colin O’Reilly is the best player in the SuperLeague. His overall ability has proven that. He is a tremendous player and I think I have a very good balance.
“Jerrah Young has been a tremendous defender and rebounder. I think he is the best defender in the SuperLeague. We have a prolific scorer and superstar in O’Reilly. Ryne Hamblett is a guy who does a lot of things, he is versatile he can go inside, go outside and all of a sudden he will hit a couple of shots.
“Throw in a core of Irish players that are very good players and very fundamental and that is the making of a very good team.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
