Titans hit Wall as St Mary’s book cup final return
The champions started well, snatching some early baskets through John Galvin and the evergreen John Teahan.
Declan Wall, with 21 points, and Dan Griffin, with 17 points, were superb under the boards for the Kerry side while Galvin chipped in with 16.
Titans trailed 11-6 with five minutes remaining in the first quarter but they began to pick up some scores from the outside and a basket on the buzzer left them 17-23 in arrears going into the second quarter.
Scores were limited at the start of the second quarter and the St Mary’s lead was down to two (35-33) at the conclusion.
Titans were quick off the mark in the second half and took the lead for the first time courtesy of a Conall MacMichaell three-pointer. St Mary’s responded magnificently. Wall gave superb assists to his colleagues and they led 55-45 entering the last quarter. Wall led by example, scoring some superb baskets to extend their lead to 13 points with five minutes remaining. With three minutes to go St Mary’s were 68-57 clear before Titans’ Toms Fabriciuss hit a huge three but the Kerry side held on.
CHM Ballon secured their place in the decider with a 86-58 point win over St Vincent’s. Ballon were far too strong for their Dublin opponents and their superiority was reflected in a 48-24 half-time lead.
Tolka Rovers and Templeogue will contest the men’s Under 18 final after exciting semi-finals, the second of which saw Templeogue come from behind to beat Ballincollig. The 70-64 victory for Templeogue did not reflect the effort put in by Francis O’Sullivan’s Ballincollig side in an enthralling contest. The outstanding player on court was Adrian O’Sullivan, son of the coach, who hit 24 points.
Tolka Rovers’ 83-65 win over St Mary’s from Castleisland was marked by the quality of Rovers’ Davey O’Leary.
Blue Demons ruthlessly dispatched Swords 80-42 to book their place in the U20 men’s final. The Cork side began this game in fine style utilising the considerable height of Padraig Lucey and Shane Buckley to race into a lead which they never relinquished.
Hopes of an all-Cork final were dashed when the defending champions, Maree from Galway, beat Neptune 70-51.
AOS Security Glanmire earned a trip to defend their women’s U18 National Cup with a 50-44 victory against St Joseph’s Blazers and they will meet Claregalway, who cruised past Meteors 63-35.
Glanmire were denied another shot at an under-age double by Tralee Imperials, who beat their U20 side 54-52. Waterford Wildcats beat St Mary’s, Castleisland 60-56 in the other game.
The Women’s Division One final will be between UL, who beat Tralee Imperials 66-58, and Ulster Rockets, who overcame Meteors (62-55).
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