BASKETBALL:The national cup, or Superleague cup as it is confusingly labelled, arguably holds greater resonance than the league competition that spans throughout the season.
This is because the final comes early in the New Year when basketball is not yet dwarfed by other major sports and, most importantly, RTÉ provide an annual place in the sun with live television. This past weekend the competition was narrowed down to four teams with Americans dominating the quarter-final scoreboards.
The UCC Demons coach Pat Price was recognised last week for guiding the Cork club to the cup success last February and retention of that achievement remains an aspiration after they overcame Shamrock Rovers Hoops 86-77 at the National Arena. The Demons scoring threat of Benito Flores, Niall Murphy and Michael Plichta proved too much for the Hoops to contain.
They will hope to avoid another traditional powerhouse in the Tralee Tigers, at least until the final, after the Kerry club were inspired by Americans Wilder Auguste and Dave Fanning in downing Ballina 81-68.
The only home win of the quarter-finals belonged to St Paul's, who ended Killester's cup dream. North Dublin will have a representative in the last four as St Vincent's beat the Limerick Lions 94-89.
