Demons in the mood

C&S UCC Demons 106 Titans (Galway) 68

Titans posed Demons no problems and captain Shane Coughlan was pleased with his team’s performance.

“We came here expecting to win and that’s how it thankfully panned out, with all the guys making good contributions,” Shane said.

Titans had shocked the basketball fraternity last week when defeating Bord Gais Neptune in the quarter-final but Coughlan declared defeat never entered their heads going into this game.

“I cannot speak for Neptune, but we were confident we would win this game in a canter and that’s the way it should be as we are playing a division above them,” added Coughlan.

For the Titans, coach Paul Freeman it was a case of admiring the victors’ display despite his team’s brave performance.

“Demons are certainly a very good side and although we came to Cork with high hopes, we soon realised that they were in another class,” Paul said.

“Although my guys gave their all, Demons’ fitness and shooting was simply incredible at times. But overall I cannot the fault the effort that was made and our win over Neptune in the quarter-final will always be an abiding memory for us.”

Ciaran O’Sullivan gave Demons the perfect star with a stunning three and, running the ball at every opportunity, they raced into a 19-6 lead in the fifth minute.

Demons were simply in another class and, with Ciaran O’Sullivan registering four three-pointers, they commanded a 34-22 first quarter lead.

The one problem for Demons was their poor defence as they allowed their first division opponents far too much space.

On the restart Titans opened with two quick baskets before Demons steadied the ship and, with Lehmon Colbert doing reasonably well at the post, they soon regained a 14-point lead.

Suddenly Demons moved up a gear and with their defence looking more solid, their Galway opponents were struggling to score as Demons opened up a 24 point lead with two minutes to the interval.

As the half matured Demons looked to be wearing down their first division opponents and the game looked over as a contest at the interval when they led 59-34.

In the second half it was a case of going through the motions for Demons as coach Colin O’Reilly could afford to use his entire squad as this game was settled long before the final buzzer.

Scorers for C&S UCC Demons: A O’Sullivan 25, L Colbert 24, B O’Neill 17.

Scorers for Titans: T Mitkus 22, C Coyne 16, T Fabricus 10.

C&S UCC Demons: C Anon, K Hosford, B O’Neill, C O’Sullivan, S Coughlan, D O’Sullivan, M O’Leary, N O’Reilly, A O’Sullivan, L Colbert, C O’Reilly.

TITANS: E Murphy, C Coyne, P Peldzius, G Hynes, D Mulveen, G Sedebskis, T Fabriiciuss, J Pesaitis, C McNairney, S Marti, E Moore, T Mitkus, P Freeman, E Saah.

Referees: D Caballe (Cork), L Cassidy (Dublin), J Hegarty (Belfast).