'We’ve got half the job done': Ballincollig keen to make double dreams come true

Ballincollig's Latrell Jossell takes on Eanna's Adam Charles during the Domino's Men's Super League play-off semi-final at MTU Arena. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Ballincollig are taking nothing for granted ahead of this weekend’s Domino’s Super League final, according to their star man Latrell Jossell.

Having lifted the cup in January, Ciaran O’Sullivan’s charges are seeking a first ever double in the club’s history when they take on Killester at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin.

“I’m feeling good. I remember back in January, when we won the cup, me and the team were talking about it. We got that done but we had a whole second half of the season and we were eager to get back to the arena. We’ve got half the job done; the other half is to go out and win this game,” said Jossell.

Ballincollig had a bit of a hangover after their dominant cup final win over Tralee Warriors, where Jossell scored 31 points in an MVP performance. They lost two of their next three Super League games before going on an unbeaten run to round out the regular season.

“It was hard to focus again. We did a decent amount of partying and had a game or two after that where we had to get back in our groove. It definitely switched things up but we got it back on track,” said Jossell.

“No matter how we do it, how ugly it looks, how good it looks, we’re just trying to get the win. We have a team of great players. On any given night it could be anybody stepping up. That’s what makes us good. If someone isn’t having their best game, somebody else steps up.” 

Having topped the regular season table in addition to their cup triumph, Ballincollig enter Sunday’s decider as big favourites.

“We still try to respect our opponent no matter what. Killester’s a good team and they’re well coached. We don’t want to arrive acting like we already have it won, that’s the wrong attitude to go out with. It makes you lackadaisical, we know that if we don’t bring it we could lose,” said Jossell.

“They switch a lot, they switch everything, so we have to attack the switch. I can feel we’re getting better. We’re playing really good and our guards have had a lot of assists, which is a sign we’re playing fast.” 

While it’s Jossell’s first time playing in a Super League decider, player-coach Ciarán O’Sullivan is more than familiar with the task at hand. The American said that experience carries a lot of weight.

“It’s amazing. It’s different for him to be a player-coach but that gives him an advantage sometimes. He’s out there and feels what we feel so he can relay it when we come back to practice. It gives a different outlook on what we need to change,” said Jossell.

Jossell’s future beyond this weekend isn’t decided but O’Sullivan indicated after the cup final win that he expects the American to move on to bigger things next season. Whatever about next season, Jossell wants to ensure he finishes this season on a high with Ballincollig.

“We’ve had a great season and it’s only right to finish it out with a win, making it a historic season. Everything is focused on getting the win this Sunday,” he said.

With family in Chicago and Texas, Jossell won’t be short of support tuning in from across the Atlantic this weekend.

“They’ll all be tuning in. It’s funny because they didn’t realise how big the cup was until they saw the reaction to it. They are more tuned in this second go around.”