BASKETBALL Dart and Demons Secure Wins Ahead of Next Weekend's National Cup Final

DART Killester and UCC Demons prepared for their National Cup final next weekend with wins in the Nivea For Men's Superleague against Ulster Elks and HOOPS respectively.

Abrakebabra Tigers earned a morale boosting win away to DCU Saints, while UCD/Marian proved too strong for Limerick Lions and Belfast Star emerged from their trip to Neptune with maximum points.
DART Killester prepared for their defence of the National Cup next weekend with a comfortable 99-74 win over Ulster Elks in Clontarf on Saturday night.

However, the win was tainted by Kieran O'Brien's problematic knee, which flared up again and may force him out of next week's final decider with UCC Demons.

There was no way back for Elks, who trailed 57-32 at the break and DART Head Coach Mark Keenan was pleased with the performance after a number of indifferent displays in recent weeks.

"I am very happy with the team's overall performance," said DART Head Coach Mark Keenan. "It was a much improved display after our cup semi game against Neptune and the recent league meeting with Limerick Lions.

"It was a great team game with everyone chipping in and we can now look forward to next week's final."

On Sunday, UCC Demons signalled their intent with a 108-81 win away to HOOPS at the National Basketball Arena.

"It was great to get another game in the Arena, the lads have got two weeks in the national stadium and it is good preparation ahead of next week's final," said Demons Head Coach Douglas Leichner.

"We have been playing well of late and it's important we keep it going. We are getting good production off the bench, our starters are doing well and hopefully it will come good next weekend."

It was a game for the big hitters with Irish international Colin O'Reilly hitting 40 points, while his HOOPS counterpart Jonathan Reed showed his scoring credentials with 42 points.

Abrakebabra Tigers Head Coach, Kevin O'Donoghue, paid tribute to his side after they pulled off a surprising 76-70 win away to DCU Saints despite travelling to the capital with only eight fit players.

In a tight contest, the teams were level at the end of the third quarter (59-59) before the home side were dealt a major blow when Mike Trimmer ran into foul trouble and was forced to sit out the majority of the final quarter. Tigers grabbed the initiative with John Teehan scoring the last four points to secure the win.
"I have seen a change over the last few weeks," said O'Donoghue. "We have been playing better defence and we played well against UCC Demons last weekend in the cup despite losing. The lads have put in a huge effort and it's a great tribute with all the problems that they have managed to come away from a tough trip like this with all the points.

"We knew DCU would be a real threat," he added. "They have put a good run together and were going to be really tough opponents. They hammered us earlier in the season so hopefully this will start a positive run and maybe a late surge towards the Play-Off's."

Roy Smallwood and Ger Myles performed well for the victors with 18 and 16 points respectively while Kevin Lacey top scored for DCU with 18 points.

UCD/Marian bounced back to winning ways with a slender 71-67 success away to Limerick Lions.

"I am delighted with the result especially after the disappointment of losing to Belfast Star," said UCD/Marian Head Coach Cormac Connor. "I watched Limerick against DART and I was very impressed by them and they would have been in confident mood coming into this one.

"We have worked hard in training and did some good work on our defensive game," added Connor. "We can't take anything for granted but just keep trying to get results and get into the Play-Off's."

UCD/Marian looked in control at half time, leading 42-30 but a late surge from Lions almost swung the pendulum in their favour. US star Michael Parker, who recovered from his recent injury problems, hit 24 points in the Dubliners win.

Belfast Star continued their recent revival with an 81-71 win against beaten National Cup semi finalists Neptune.

The signing of Pierre Washington and Jermaine Washington has revived the side who lead 33-23 at the break. Washington starred in the win with 31 points while Chris Butler returned to the fold with 10 points for the victors.

Meanwhile, in Basketball Ireland's Womens Superleague, DCU Mercy returned to the summit of the table after their win over Meteors and Team Montenotte Hotel Cork's loss at home to UL Aughinish.

It was the perfect response for Mercy, who were denied a place in the National Cup final by virtue of a late three from Montenotte's Niamh Dwyer last weekend.
"We weren't at our best after what has been a tough week for the side," said Mercy Head Coach Mark Ingle. "Meteors put up a very spirited performance under their new Head Coach Dave Biggins. Our side were a little drained after last week's efforts but we got the result and it keeps us going on the league front."

Team Montenotte Hotel Cork's preparations for next Sunday's final with Waterford Wildcats were dented with a 73-65 defeat at home to UL Aughinish.

The win has given UL a huge boost as they look to make an impact in the closing months of the season. "We were leading for the whole game and we deserved to win," said UL Head Coach Sasa Punosevac. "I knew we would play good defense but I'm also proud of the Irish players offense. The players followed the tactics we practiced and the game went the way we predicted."

Waterford Wildcats inflicted more woe on Tolka Rovers and travel to the National Cup final next weekend buoyed by an 83-47 success. DART Killester's search for their first win of the season continues after a heartbreaking 53-52 loss to LeisureWorld Churchfield IONA.

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