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UL aim for glory at every turn in Tallaght

BASKETBALL: UL EAGLES have the chance to wrap up the double tonight when they take on DCU Saints in the final of the Nivea For…

Fri Mar 23 2012 - 00:00

BASKETBALL:UL EAGLES have the chance to wrap up the double tonight when they take on DCU Saints in the final of the Nivea For Men's SuperLeague at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght (8.45pm).

The Eagles ended a drought of 10 years without a trophy when they lifted the National Cup in February and a superb series of games in the play-offs means their hopes of a clean sweep is very much on.

They will also be heartened by their record against DCU Saints this season after two wins in the regular season.

For Welsh international Matt Hall, who is in his 10th year with the Eagles, tonight could prove to be a huge moment in the club’s history.

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“We have never won the SuperLeague title and the fact we have a chance of winning the double makes it even bigger,” said Hall. “Saints have been the hardest team to play against in the league as they are tough defenders and have great shooters.

“In 2006 we lost to them in the final after losing the cup to Demons so the fact we are playing them again after playing Demons in the cup is hopefully a good omen.”

From the Saints’ point of view, the final provides an opportunity to claim their first league title since 2006, when they beat UL, known then as Limerick Lions.

Their record of just five defeats in the league this season ranks them as the most consistent team in the country, with their semi-final demolition of Dublin rivals UCD Marian outlining the threat they possess.

In the Women’s SuperLeague final, UL will be hoping to secure the treble when they take on Team Montenotte Cork in Tallaght (6.45pm).

The Shannonsiders have been on an incredible run, winning their last 35 games. Their last defeat came in December 2010, while they have not suffered defeat on their own court throughout the entire duration of the past two seasons.

However, despite their 100 per cent record against tonight’s opponents, they will be wary considering the scare they received from Montenotte in the semi-finals of the National Cup. It was the Cork side who led at half-time on that occasion but UL kept their nerve to progress. Both of tonight’s finals will be televised live on Setanta Ireland.

Meanwhile, Abbey Grammar School lifted the Under-16 C Boys’ All-Ireland Schools League final trophy after a 55-37 win over CBS High School in Tallaght yesterday.

Laois side Clonaslee College are All-Ireland U-16 C girls champions after a 47-21 win over Aquinas GS. Clonaslee also celebrated beating Presentation, Miltown in the nail biting under-19 C girls final on a slender 38-37 scoreline.

Coláiste Chriost Rí won the under-19 C boys final after a thrilling win over Abbey GS, 51-48. Christ The King were crowned the under-16 B girls champions after a 45-37 win over Mercy Coolock.

FIXTURES

(at National Basketball Arena, Tallaght)

Tonight – Women’s SuperLeague Final: UL Basketball Club v Team Montenotte Hotel Cork, NBA, Tallaght, 6.45.

Men’s SuperLeague Final: UL Eagles v DCU Saints, NBA, Tallaght, 8.45. Tomorrow – Women’s SuperLeague Shield Final: Ulster Rockets v Brunell, noon. Women’s National League Division One Final: Tralee Imperials v St Mary’s, 2.0. Men’s National League Division One Final: Titans v Ballon Basketball Club, 4.0.