Neptune make it an all-Cork final

Burger King Limerick 83 Neptune 89

Neptune await Demons in the first all-Cork ESB National Cup final since 1992, after they came through the second semi-final 89-83 against Burger King Limerick.

Jamal Hunter put Limerick into a commanding 17-5 first quarter lead, but baskets from Charron Watson, Marcus Walley and a massive three-pointer from Stephen McCarthy put Cork side Neptune just 25-22 down.

Hunter, who finished the game with 29 points, and Kevin O’Connor hit twp superb three-pointers to edge Limerick into a strong 49-41 half-time lead.

Neptune somehow came back again to lead 66-60 lead at a critical stage in the third quarter, with further baskets from Kenny Gamble (26 points) and Watson, who was the game’s joint top score on 29 with Hunter.

Fittingly, it was Irish international McCarthy who closed out the win with two free throws, with Watson and Gamble also scoring at the death.