BASKETBALL:UCD MARIAN shocked a highly fancied Bord Gais Neptune 83-80 to set up a Nivea For Men's SuperLeague semi-final play-off with old rivals DCU Saints.
Marian were ranked as outsiders ahead of their trip to Cork after a run of six straight defeats in the regular season.
However, the students came good in the all-important knockout stages, with Irish American Owen McNally contributing a tally of 23 points in the win.
“We genuinely believed the results prior to Neptune weren’t a true reflection of the way we were playing,” said Marian head coach Fran Ryan. “DCU will be a real test. I saw them recently beat Neptune and I thought it was the best performance from a team this season.”
UL Eagles head coach Mark Keenan returned to haunt his former club 11890 Killester after an impressive 97-81 success. The win will see a repeat of the National Cup final on St Patrick’s weekend when they travel to UCC Demons. Eagles ended Killester’s National Cup hopes in January and ensured more heartache with their American Robert Taylor in particular good form. “It was always going to be tough on the road to Killester, particularly considering our recent record up there. We stood up to the challenge and the commitment and attitude was excellent,” said Eagles head coach Mark Keenan.
Waterford Wildcats will meet UL in the semi-finals of the Women’s SuperLeague following their dramatic 67-65 overtime win away to 11890 Killester. Kate Maher provided the winning basket for Wildcats, who will be hoping for better fortunes against UL after having lost to James Weldon’s side twice already this season.
DCU Mercy will take on Team Montenotte Cork in the other semi-final after proving too strong for meteors, winning 78-39 with Sarah Woods contributing 23 points.
