BASKETBALL NATIONAL CUP PREVIEWS:THE 25TH National Cups take place on Sunday at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght with DART Killester looking to retain the men's trophy when they meet UCC Demons (3.15pm), while Team Montenotte Hotel Cork are looking for the three-in-a-row in the women's when they face Waterford Wildcats (1pm).
St Vincent’s (men) and Naomh Mhuire (women’s) made it a cup double for the capital 25 years ago but UCC Demons can top the roll of honour in cup wins with five if they can overcome Dublin giants DART Killester.
Killester will almost certainly be without former Neptune star Kieran O’Brien, who suffered a recurrence of his knee injury last weekend in the win over Ulster Elks in Clontarf.
“It is not looking good for Kieran,” said Killester head coach Mark Keenan. “We have had to play the majority of the season without Kieran so we will just have to get on with it if he doesn’t make it.”
Killester won the only meeting between the sides this season when they secured a 98-86 victory at the beginning of November.
UCC Demons head coach Douglas Leichner is relishing being part of cup final day and has described Killester as the Irish SuperLeague “Dream Team” ahead of their meeting on Sunday.
“We are looking forward to the highly-anticipated rematch against DART Killester for the National Cup Championship,” said Leichner. “Coach Mark Keenan has guided the Killester squad brilliantly for this cup game. Killester are the cup holders and favourites to repeat as champions. The Irish SuperLeague ‘Dream Team’, will be a formidable challenge.”
Montenotte managed to win by 78-77 last term and their head coach Mark Scannell is not feeling any added pressure with the carrot of a three-in-a-row on offer.
“It makes no odds,” said Scannell. “You have to be ready for it. We are going there to win the game and if we do that we have achieved a fantastic treble success. It’s a great opportunity for a special side like this to go down as one of the greatest teams in Irish basketball. It’s not going to be easy because Wildcats will be looking for revenge after their loss in the final last year.
Despite being part of such an enthralling game Bausch Lomb Wildcats head coach Tony Hehir just wants to win. “I’m sure the neutral viewer was enthralled by last season’s final but our concern is to win first,” said Hehir.
Both games are being broadcast live on RTÉ 2, with coverage starting at 12.45pm.
