Tralee Tigers win their first National Cup

Abrakebara Tigers 90 - Roma St Vincent's 81

Abrakebara Tigers won their first ever National Cup title in an exciting game of basketball in the National Arena tonight.

Roy Smallwood started the first quarter in style, hitting three baskets in a row, scoring nine of the Tigers’ first 14 points, ably assisted by Tigers' player/coach Chris Craig.

Roma St Vincent's soon hit back with a double and a three pointer from Trimmer. Madsen also hit two three pointers, the second of which made the score 18-16 to Tigers, with just over three and a half minutes remaining in the quarter.

Teahan then scored on a break, which Vincent's answered with a basket and two free throws, only for Micheál Quirke to score on the buzzer, leaving the score 22-20 to Tigers at the end of the first.

The second quarter was end-to-end stuff, with the lead changing hands six times in one frantic three minute spell.

With Vincent's in front 41-42, baskets from Luke O'Hea, Smallwood and Quirke sent Tigers in 49-42 in front at half time.

The third quarter opened with a three from Craig, and Roma St Vincent's hit back through Tonkovich. With three minutes gone, Tigers stretched the lead to seven, but then Vincent's then went through a purple patch, cleaning up on rebounds at both ends of the courts.

During this time, Tigers failed to score from play for almost six minutes, with Vincent's hitting baskets through Tonkovich, Emmet and David Donnelly. A three-pointer from Madsen gave them a 63-60 lead.

Yet again Tigers replied through Craig, with Quirke scored on the buzzer to give them a 64-63 lead at the end of the quarter.

The final quarter saw Smallwood open the scoring again. When Tonkovich picked up his fourth foul with two minutes gone things looked ominous for the Dubliners.

Craig, leading his team magnificently, scored two from the line, followed by a three-pointer. He then stole the ball to set Kieran Donaghy up for another three, to fire the Tigers into a 76-67 lead with six minutes to go.

Another three from Craig, followed by three baskets from Smallwood, saw them extend the lead further. Despite scores from Madsen, there was no way back for Roma St Vincent's.

Abrakebara Tigers’ Chris Craig sealed the game for Tigers with three from four on the line, and his team deservedly won, 90-81, to send the Kerry contingent home happy.