BASKETBALL:THE RECENT National Cup finals saw UL Eagles end a drought of 10 years without a trophy after they beat a highly-fancied UCC Demons 72-65 in front of a capacity crowd at the National Basketball Arena.
For “MVP” Robert Taylor, the win justified the American’s decision to return to Ireland and play with the Eagles. “I feel on top of the world,” said Taylor. “This is why I came back. Five years ago we were here and lost to them but this year we showed what we are made of and stuck at our game.
“We played hard throughout the game and I think we still had a lot to give in the final quarter when they were struggling.”
The women of UL capped off a fantastic night for the county when they earned their first cup since 2006 after beating DCU Mercy 64-27. The win maintains their phenomenal unbeaten record, which now dates back to December 2010. Since then, they have won 28 straight games.
“Some of those girls travel up from Cork two and three nights a week,” said UL coach James Weldon. “That’s an amazing commitment. But we are a very good team because we have that commitment. It’s been a long road to here for us but we are delighted with it. The girls have been absolutely tremendous and deserve this.”
The Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague also provided plenty of drama as DCU Saints remain top of the Northern Conference after an 82-63 win away to Belfast Star, 11890 Killester demolished UCD Marian 93-54, while Bord Gáis Neptune edged out Moycullen on a scoreline of 62-53.
In the Nivea Women’s Superleague, Team Montenotte Cork maintained the pressure on leaders UL with a 20 point win (80-60) away to Oblate Dynamos.
