UCD frustrate favourites Demons

THE first leg of the semi-finals in the NIVEA for MEN SuperLeague provided a mild shock for UCC Demons who had to settle for a draw (78-78) at the end of a storming come-back by UCD Marian at Belfield but there was no such problem for the other favourites, DART Killester, who overwhelmed Neptune (85-63) at Neptune Stadium.

Demons appeared to be taking a lead into the second leg until that sensational comeback which was completed by Michael Parker when he tied the game in the dying seconds. There will be plenty to play for at the Mardyke next weekend and UCD Marian coach, Cormac Connor, said he is looking forward to the trip to Cork.

“It was a super game,” he said. “UCC Demons are an incredible side and I would have probably taken a defeat by a couple of points to make sure we were travelling down to Cork with something to play for.”

“A game like this has justified the introduction of the two legged semi-final because it was certainly dramatic,” Demons star, Colin O’Reilly, said. “We are disappointed with how it finished but we are at home next week and we will certainly be looking to make that count.”

DART Killester have one foot in the league finals after a stunning 85-63 win away to Neptune in their semi-final first leg clash.

The Dubliners preparations weren’t helped by the loss of Michael Bonaparte through injury and it was to get worse when Michael Westbrooks was withdrawn with an injury prior to tip-off. However, DART refused to be rattled.

“We are absolutely delighted with the performance,” DART coach, Mark Keenan, said “I was particularly pleased with our second half defensive display.

“We have put ourselves in a good position but we are only half way there and we are looking forward to the second leg in a weeks time.”

Team Montenotte Hotel Cork and DCU Mercy have secured healthy first leg leads in Basketball Ireland’s Women’s Superleague semi-final’s.

UL revealed earlier in the day that their coach, Sasa Punosevac, had been relieved of his duties and that former Irish underage coach Des O’Sullivan would take charge of their clash with Team Montenotte Hotel Cork.

On the court UL were looking strong — leading 29-24 — but a late run by the experienced Montenotte turned the game in their favour.

The experience of Jennifer Strong, Niamh Dwyer and Michelle Fahy proved crucial in the Cork side’s 61-48 success while Kirsten O’Neill hit 19 points for UL.

“It wasn’t our best display but it’s an away win and we have to be happy with that,” Coach Mark Scannell said. “We were sloppy at times but we dug in towards the end and managed to grind out a result.

“We still have a lot of work to do and we cannot be complacent but we are at home and we will have to make that count.”

Bausch & Lomb Wildcats have it all to do after suffering a 94-73 defeat to DCU Mercy in a hugely entertaining semi-final first leg in Waterford.

“I would have been happy with any win particularly with the game being away,” said Mercy coach, Mark Ingle, said. “It’s a tough place to go so we are extremely pleased with the margin of victory in the end.”