Demons earn their coronation day with stylish league victory

Basketball: C&S UCC Demons were crowned Men’s Premier league champions in style following an emphatic 116-65 win over Dublin Inter at the Mardyke Arena yesterday.

This was Demons’ 18th league win and after an unbeaten season it was a day to savour for player coach Colin O’Reilly.

“It’s all about the work ethic of the team and when you are prepared to put in big effort at training for three nights a week since last July you usually get your just reward,” said O’Reilly.

Templeogue secured third place by virtue of their 93-81 win over UL Eagles with Conor Grace and Jason Killeen sharing 50 points. Swords Thunder’s recent poor run of results continued when they went down at home to Belfast Star 82-66 with American Ricky Taylor finishing with a game high 29 points.

Meanwhile Team Montenotte produced an awesome display to defeat Liffey Celtics 69-39 in the Premier Women’s National League semi-final first leg at Leixlip. The return of American Meagan Hoffman for Celtics was expected to upset the champions but a 21-point contribution from Gráinne Dwyer ensured Montenotte’s place in the final is almost guaranteed.

Leading 36-20 at the interval, Montenotte pushed on in the third quarter and with Niamh Dwyer completely shutting down the threat of Celtics second American, Shelby Smith, there was no way back for the Kildare side. Montenotte coach Mark Scannell couldn’t hide his delight: “That was a clinical performance and when we perform like that not many teams can stay with us. When you hold a team to 39 points on their home court you are doing something right. Every player was magnificent.”

The second semi-final was a lot closer with Singleton’s Supervalu Brunell edging out DCU Mercy 53-50 in a low scoring game at the Parochial Hall.

Brunell looked in serious trouble when trailing 44-32 entering the fourth quarter but a stunning comeback saw the Cork side win at the death with American Katie Hannemann finishing with a game high 19 points.

Brunell coach Kieran O’Leary admitted: “I don’t think I have ever coached a team that played so poorly and won a game of this importance. I have to be satisfied we won but there is lots of work to be done before Sunday’s second leg.