Sport

Templeogue to face GCD Swords Thunder in Men’s Basketball National Cup final

South Dublin club came from 11 points down to maintain their unbeaten streak for the season

Killester’s Ciarán Roe and Jason Killeen of Templeogue (left) in action during the Men’s National Cup semi-final at the Mardyke Arena, Cork. Photograph: Inpho
Killester’s Ciarán Roe and Jason Killeen of Templeogue (left) in action during the Men’s National Cup semi-final at the Mardyke Arena, Cork. Photograph: Inpho
Sun Jan 10 2016 - 20:06

Templeogue will meet GCD Swords Thunder in the Hula Hoops Men's National Cup final on January 31st following their semi-final win over Pyrobel Killester in Cork. The south Dubliners came from 11 points down to maintain their unbeaten streak for the season.

"They had us on the ropes in the first half," admitted Templeogue's Jason Killeen. "We've won a lot of close games this year and I think it's really stood to us. We spoke about cleaning up defensively at half time and we just pulled it together."

It will be a first time appearance for both finalists as GCD Swords Thunder pulled off the shock of a busy weekend to defeat reigning champions C&S UCC Demons.

Control

Thunder controlled the game from start to finish to come through 103-82 at the Mardyke Arena. Winning Coach

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Dave Baker

said: “We knew we had to get clinical in the second half of the season and there were some home truths and good talks over Christmas.”

The Hula Hoops Women's National Cup final will be a repeat of last season's decider with Team Montenotte Hotel to face Pyrobel Killester on January 31st.

Killester's semi-final with Maxol WIT Wildcats wasn't decided until a 5-0 run saw the Dublin side home in the fourth. "It feels absolutely brilliant," said captain Aisling Sullivan. "To get to a second final and to get another chance to win it this year is something else."

Team Montenotte Hotel had to come from behind to beat a Meteors side who led with a 10-0 run in the second quarter.

Aine McKenna finished the game with 18 points and said: “We’d already seen this weekend that anything can happen in a semi-final and Meteors have great heart. We just plugged away and eventually shut down their options.”