BASKETBALL:Hangovers are a funny thing. They tend to debilitate a person's ability to make rationale decisions and, in a sporting contest, hinder the performance levels required to be successful.
Eight days ago the Tralee Tigers ever so slightly upset the odds to beat the UCC Demons in the National Cup final at the National Arena. It was undoubtedly the highlight of the domestic season but the Superleague has another few weeks to run.
Tralee can be forgiven for failing to find a way past Star of the Sea in Saturday night, just six days after the trip to Dublin. The trek to Jordanstown can hardly have helped in the recovery process. Despite Americans Dave Fanning and Wilder Auguste combining for 57 points, they went down 110-89.
A similar fate befell the women's National Cup champions Glanmire as they were edged 67-63 by DCU Mercy yesterday.
Elsewhere, Ballina overcame St Paul's despite losing Ronan McGarrity to the Mayo footballers.
In the other cross conference fixtures, UCD Marian beat the Limerick Lions, St Vincent's had a one-point victory over the Demons while Shamrock Rovers Hoops left Cork with a 105-101 victory over Neptune.
One imagines Glanmire and Tralee will have recovered sufficiently by next week's games as they eye up a perfect season.
