Ballybrack next as Rebel Wheelers strive for six

Paul Ryan breaks forward for Rebel Wheelers against Limerick Celtics in the IWA National Cup semi-final; Rebel Wheelers vs Limerick Celtics at MTU Arena on Saturday. Pic Larry Cummins

Ballybrack Bulls will face Rebel Wheelers in the IWA National Cup Final bext Friday after they beat Killester 42-25 at MTU Arena on Sunday.

The Bulls led from start to finish, holding a 21-8 lead at the interval and they never looked back. Jack Cole caught the eye with a nine points, including a spectacular buzzer beating three point shot. Scoring was evenly spread elsewhere – as Jonathan Hayes, Valene Ryan, Oran Spain and Jason Ryan all got into the boxscore. Melanie Griffith, Cian Horgan and Bledar Suxha all chipped into Killester’s total.

Six-in-a-row chasing Wheelers overcame Limerick Celtics 59-39 on Saturday, with Dylan McCarthy (14) and Derek Hegarty (12) contributing well at both ends of the court.

Éanna recovered from a 25 deficit at one stage, to defeat Limerick Lions 75-72 in the U18 Men’s Billy Coffey National Cup semi-finals at Neptune Stadium on Sunday.

They now face Titans following their come-from-behind 74-66 win over Neptune. Titans trailed for the large majority of this game but finished strongly, outscoring their opponents 23-8 in the final quarter.

Defending champions Limerick Celtics earned the opportunity to go back-to-back in the U20 Men’s National Cup after they dispatched a spirited Killester side 58-52 at MTU Arena on Sunday morning. They will play Dundalk Ravens in the final, who defeated Titans 85-80 on Saturday.

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers orchestrated a 67-55 win over Titans BC to reach their first ever President’s National Cup Final. Their Galway rivals will be disappointed at having left a sackful of points behind them in Gurranabraher Credit Union Arena on Saturday night after finishing 9 for 26 from the free-throw line and 2 for 18 from outside the arc. Four Portaoise players finished in double figures, with James Phelan top-scoring on 17.

They will play Limerick Celtics, who overcame a sluggish start to maintain their unbeaten run this season with a 85-78 win over Moy Tolka Rovers.

Emma Tolan struck from both sides of the arc in the closing two minutes to drag McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles over the line and into the Women’s Division One National Cup Final at the expense of holders, Limerick Celtics whom they edged out 68-64 at MTU Arena on Saturday evening

They will face iSecure Swords Thunder after an inspired double-double from Makayla Miller lead them to a 74-61 win over Oblate Dymanos.