BASKETBALL National Cup Final Preview

The 25th National Cup takes place this weekend with DART Killester looking to retain the Men's trophy when they meet UCC Demons, while Team Montenotte Hotel Cork are looking for the three-in-a-row when they face Waterford Wildcats.

St Vincent's (Men) and Naomh Mhuire (Women's) made it a cup double for the capital 25 years ago but UCC Demons can top the roll of honour in cup wins with five if they can overcome Dublin giants DART Killester.

DART Killester will almost certainly be without former Neptune star Kieran O'Brien, who suffered a reoccurrence of his knee injury last weekend in the win over Ulster Elks in Clontarf. "It is not looking good for Kieran," said DART Head Coach Mark Keenan. "We have had to play the majority of the season without Kieran so we will just have to get on it with it if he doesn't make it."

DART Killester managed to win the only meeting between the sides this season when they secured a 98-86 win at the beginning of November.

"The lads managed to beat them earlier so they know how to beat this very good side," added Keenan. "However, since suffering the loss I believe Demons have bounced back excellently, winning most of their games by 20 points or more.

"We are on the back of a fine display against Ulster Elks and it was important to get a performance behind us because we put in a few indifferent displays recently. It is fitting the two Conference leaders have reached the final and it should a very tight contest."

UCC Demons' Head Coach Douglas Leichner is relishing being part of National Cup final day and has described DART as the Irish SuperLeague "Dream Team" ahead of their meeting on Sunday.

"We are looking forward to the highly anticipated rematch against DART Killester for the National Cup Championship," said Leichner. "Coach Mark Keenan has guided the DART Killester squad brilliantly for this Cup game. DART Killester are the Cup holders and favorites to repeat as champions. The Irish SuperLeague "Dream Team", will be a formidable challenge.

"The strength of DART Killester is apparent by the fact that so many different players have contributed to their wins. Michael Bonaparte and James Grabowski have been great imports. However, DART's domestic players are the driving forces to the team. Johnny Grenell, Paddy Kelly, John Behan and Pete Madsen will draw the UCC Demons close attention.

"Rebounding is our number one priority. DART Killester does a great job of getting second chance points. They can rebound from every position. Great players rise to the occasion and this game is centre stage for Irish Basketball. We are fit and will have a full squad."

Meanwhile, in the Women's Superleague National Cup final, Team Montenotte Hotel Cork will be looking to secure their third consecutive cup success when they face Bausch & Lomb Wildcats in a repeat of the dramatic 2008 final.

Monetnotte managed to win by the slightest of margins (78-77) last term and their Head Coach Mark Scannell is not feeling any added pressure with the carrot of a three-in-a-row on offer.
"It makes no odds," said Scannell. "You have to be ready for it. We are going there to win the game and if we do that we have achieved a fantastic treble success. It's a great opportunity for a special side like this to go down as one of the greatest teams in Irish basketball. It's not going to be easy because Wildcats will be looking for revenge after their loss in the final last year.

"These are great times for Glanmire," added Scannell. "We managed to come through an titanic battle with DCU Mercy and it's great to be in with a chance of landing another cup."

Denise Walsh suffered an injury in last weekend's surprise loss at home to UL Aughinish but is expected to be fit in time to play.

Despite being part of the most enthralling basketball games seen at the National Basketball Arena, Bausch & Lomb Wildcats Head Coach Tony Hehir just wants to win and is not concerned about pleasing the neutral.

"We want to win the cup," said Hehir. "I'm sure the neutral viewer was enthralled by last season's final but our concern is to win first and foremost. I am not reading anything into their defeat to UL Aughinish last weekend. Losing a game so close to the final may not be such a bad thing as I'm sure it will help refocus them.

"They have hugely talented players, terrific players like Jennifer Strong, Michelle Fahy and Niamh Dwyer but we have some good players too and hopefully we can come through this one."

Experienced cup campaigner Jillian Hayes, who missed last weekend's win over Tolka Rovers in Basketball Ireland's Women's Superleague, returns for this weekend's clash.

For more information:

Shane Whelan
Public Relations Officer
www.basketballireland.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 4590211
Fax: +353 (0)1 4590212
Mobile : +353 (0)87 9892733
National Basketball Arena
Tymon Park, Dublin 24