Demons banish Neptune after overtime to reach National Cup final

Seventh Woods produced three spectacular baskets in overtime showing his variety of shooting threats before Elijah Tillman’s rebounding and free-throws made it safe.

THRILLER: UCC Demons’s James Beckham goes for a basket in Friday night's Pat Duffy National Cup semi-final clash with Neptune at Neptune Stadium. Picture: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Pat Duffy National Cup semi-final

UCC Demons 100

Energywise Ireland Neptune 93

It took overtime to separate these famous Cork rivals three weeks ago so who could be surprised that a tight and tense National Cup semi-final with local bragging rights on the line would require the same fate?

That time, Neptune came from 17 back to keep their heads but last night was all about Demons’ recovery from 16 down to pip this contest and send the record winners into a first final since 2016.

When these two last met in a Cup semi-final 11 years ago, 14-year-old Seventh Woods’ mixtape was just going viral. But in the white-hot intensity of a local derby he came of age with 25 points followed closely by 24 from his fellow American Elijah Tillman.

Woods produced three spectacular baskets in overtime showing his variety of shooting threats before Tillman’s rebounding and free-throws made it safe. They had 49 points to 29 from Neptune’s recent US recruits.

It was a cold, still night as the queue snaked into Neptune Stadium but inside was a cauldron of heat, noise, and a blur of movement. The packed-out capacity was swelled to 1,400 with the addition of tiered seating behind the benches as they game swung either way.

Both sides needed the shot of adrenaline a victory would supply. They entered with losing Super League records (Neptune 4-6, Demons 3-7) and their seasons in limbo between a playoff push or relegation dogfight.

James Hannigan scores for UCC Demons. Energywise Ireland Neptune vs UCC Demons in the InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup semi-final at Neptune Stadium, Cork. Pic Larry Cummins

But it’s Demons who put the jigsaw pieces together to send them into a final against Garvey’s Tralee Warriors or Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU in a fortnight’s time.

The first quarter seesawed from end to end with the lead changing hands 11 times before the music kicked in with Neptune four ahead, 25-21.

Demons jumped off to the better start with a three from James Hannigan but apart from his 10-point contribution, Demons had little to show from the rest.

Seventh Woods had a pair of impressive baskets and Elijah Tillman, in just his second game since his Christmas arrival, was fouled for a couple of free-throws but thereafter, Demons went through a lull.

While their shooting was sloppy, their defence were sluggish off the mark and Neptune were able to find success outside the arc. Andrew Gardner, Roy Downey, Cian Heaphy, Conor O’Sullivan, and Jordan Blount stepped up to drain threes from all angles Blount was popping up all over the court and he had four buckets on the spin for 10 points, evenly distributed between the end of the first quarter and the start of the second. He celebrated his second three-pointer by wheeling away to greet with the crowd.

He was wide-open for two further long-range conversions and Heaphy added a flying dunk to bring the fans onto their feet again.

By the time Demons’ head coach Danny O’Mahony called a time out approaching the half, his side were 16 down, 47-31.

He got the desired reaction with a six-point run but Derek Murphy wrestled a rebound for a putback two to leave it 51-39 at the interval.

From there, Demons came with a huge scoring surge to transform the match and raise the stadium roof. Powered by their superior rebounding, they put together a 22-7 streak in the first five minutes of the third quarter to take their first lead since the opener.

A general view of action during the Basketball Ireland Pat Duffy National Cup semi-final match between Energywise Ireland Neptune and UCC Demons at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Tala Fam Thiam rolled in a couple of efforts off the rim, Tillman forced two more, but it was Woods who made the biggest difference. He followed a huge defensive block with two ice-cold threes, the latter moving them 61-58 ahead.

They were able to shackle Blount, who had enjoyed so much space early on, although Downey and Heaphy saw Neptune stay in touch.

Demons kept the momentum rolling with a couple of huge plays to end the quarter.

Hannigan dived on a loose ball to keep it alive and he celebrated the most when David Lehane applied the three-point punishment. James Beckom’s buzzer-beating putback then stretched it out to a 72-68 advantage.

They kept the big moments coming into the final quarter. Kyle Hosford’s steal and lay-up pushed them seven up as Neptune struggled to recapture their rhythm, with Heaphy exiting injured. He would be followed off by Blount in overtime.

It was their captain who sparked them to life with his threes twice cutting the deficit to two, the first after O’Sullivan had leapt upon a loose ball.

Hannigan had slung a huge attempt in response while falling but Murphy brought the sides back on terms when he followed a tip-in two with a pump fake leveller.

There were just 28 seconds on the clock but neither could capitalise as overtime beckoned.

Demons top scorers: S Woods (25), E Tillman (24), J Hannigan (17).

Neptune top scorers: J Blount (23), R Downey (17), D Murphy (16).