Demons take Merry Monk to school

UCC Demons 118 Merry Monk Ballina 101

UCC Demons took one step closer to regaining SuperLeague Cup success today after overcoming Merry Monk Ballina in a free-scoring men’s semi-final at the National Basketball Arena.

The first quarter saw the sides neck and neck with the lead exchanging hands several times.

With three minutes remaining the teams were 17 points apiece but a brace from Michael Doles including an exciting slam-dunk edged the Demons ahead.

Evan Pellerin for Monks chipped in two points, but again Demons soon answered with a three from Gary Johnson and on the buzzer Colin O’Reilly popped up with a superb shot from near the halfway line to send Demons 29-19 ahead at the end of the first.

The second quarter was tight with both teams scoring basket for basket. Paul Freeman and Evan Pellerin were pulling the stings for Ballina as they attempted to claw their way back. UCC were shooting well from the arch with Coughlan, Doles and Whyte all sinking three pointers in the quarter.

Despite Ballina’s best efforts the Leesiders still managed to maintain a healthy 12-point lead at half time, 57-45.

Doles was still on fire from the parameter opening the third quarter with a big three pointer. Ballina had little answer for Corks early offensive attacks as the rebels amassed a whopping 11 points in quick succession.

With now a 20-point gap (71-51) between them, Ballina upped the ante and regained their scoring touch, thanks to Deora Marsh and Patrick Pope. However, Demons were still out of reach while Johnson chipped in two threes in the quarter to cushion their lead and at the end of the third, there was 19 points between the sides, 90-71.

The final quarter saw Ballina take an early six points but with seven and a half minutes remaining they had given up 101 points to the Cork side and needed to improve their defence.

Paul Freeman was fouled out with over six minutes left and this seemed to spur something in the Monks. Dan Zapior hit his second three of the game that resulted in Ronan McGarrity and Evan Pellerin scoring 13 answered points to narrow the gap to just seven points with three minutes left in the game.

t looked like Ballina were going to make a comeback. It was certain however that Demons were never going to let this victory slip through the hands. McGarrity got fouled out with 2.45 on the clock and Demons soon regained control with Doles and Johnson dominating the scoring stakes once more.

The Monks were no longer merry as they gave up the contest with over a minute remaining, Demons running out eventual winners 118-101.