U20 National Cup round up: Neptune stun Portlaoise Panthers to reach final

A 31-point game from Declan Gbinigie ensured Titans will face Neptune in the showpiece occasion.

STAR MAN: Neptune’s Pharrell Osagie celebrates following a score in the U20M National Cup encounter with Portlaoise at Neptune Stadium. Pic: Chani Anderson

Neptune produced a season best to topple favourites Portlaoise Panthers in the Men’s U20 National Cup semi- final at the Neptune stadium on Sunday.

Make no mistake, this was a statement of intent from the Blackpool side who were simply magnificent from start to finish.

Plenty of heroes for Neptune whose leading scorers were Pharrell Osagie (27), Sean Noonan (21), Wesley Delany (11) and Dylan O’Rourke (11).

A lot of credit must go to the Neptune coach Adam Drummond who had his well prepared and although they will be underdogs going into the final against Titans, they are sure to pose any side problems with a repeat performance.

A jubilant Adam Drummond spoke of his delight in his defying the odds in his semi-final.

“To be honest we even trained on Christmas Day as this squad of players want to get better and although I scouted Portlaoise Panthers I knew we had our work cut out as they have some serious scorers,” said Drummond.

In a game where the Neptune faithful backed their team from start to finish, Drummond believes his team will have it all to do in the final against Titans.

“We will be underdogs but look it’s all about letting everything on court and believe me this group will die for the Neptune jersey,” he added.

Neptune’s Pharrell Osagie releases a shot during the U20M National Cup game against Portlaoise at Neptune Stadium. Pic: Chani Anderson

A 31-point game from Declan Gbinigie sent Titans to their second U20 Men's National Cup final in three years, where they will face Neptune, who defeated Portlaoise Panthers 89-57 in the other semi-final on Sunday.

Both sides came out fast in the opening quarter, with the biggest gap being a six-point lead for Titans midway through the quarter.

It was the fast breaking game that were making a difference for Titans, with scores from Fortune Igbokwe, Declan Gbinigie and Stephan Owede coming in transition to put Titans ahead by three going into the second.

It was Luka Mitchell for Titans in the second quarter that started grab the game by the neck as Mitchell would score nine of his 20 points in the second period. Mitchell and Declan Gbinigie managed to push Titans into a 14-point lead with just under four minutes left in the half.

Seven points from Éanna managed to eat into the lead slightly, but Titans did enough to take a nine-point lead into half-time.

The big swing in the third was the 13-3 run at the five-minute mark for Titans as the Galway side took a 24-point lead into the final quarter of the semi-final.

That’s as good as it got for Eanna as the Galway side book their second final in three years hoping to go one better after losing to Limerick Celtics in 2024.

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell and Templeogue will clash in the Women’s National Cup final.

The Cork side defeated great rivals Glanmire 50-54 with Laura Hannigan (16) and Ava Walshe (13) leading their scoring.

The damage to Brunell was done in the first half when they raced into a 16- point lead but their superiority over the four quarters was clear to see as they saw out the game without too much fuss.

Templeogue will face Brunell in the final of the Ken Clarke Women’s U20 National Cup following a 50-47 win over Tralee Magic at the GCU Arena.

Eabha Booth’s 18 points were crucial in dragging Templeogue back into a game in which they trailed by 11 in the second half.

Tralee Magic played an outstanding defensive game and their two shooters Holly O’Brien and Priya O’Donovan turned up when their team needed them, but the extra depth in the ranks of Templeogue just managed to get the Dublin side over the line in the closing moments.