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Interactive Hang-Time News by Email Hoopchat Frequently Asked Questions Killester, Ballina ousted in first round
ESB Men’s Cup, 1st Round
Hibernian UCD Marian 103 116 Abbey Foods Sligo
Hamp Jones 28 38 Greg Burston
31 Ann Fontenau
22 Mario Woodson
The big shock of the weekend was the underdog Sligo team, who are yet to win a game in the ESB Superleague, book their place in the quarter-final round of the ESB Cup, ahead of UCD Marian, who had a dream start to the season. Marian’s worse nightmare came true in the form of 6’3’’ American Greg Bursten and 5’11’’ French point guard Yann Fontenou, who were in the words of Marian Coach Kieran Dunne “unstoppable”.The game was close for the entirety, with both sides pulling ahead at varying times. It was Burston and Fonteau who clinched it for Sligo in the final quarter.
Big Al’s Notre Dame 78 (39) 89 (44) Tolka Rovers
Seco Camera 24 29 Coy Patterson
Brandon Hughes 17 16 Paddy Boylan/Lennie McMillan
Anthony Jenkins 14 15 Mike Quill
Big Al’s elimination from the Cup make Waterford Crystal the only team remaining from last year’s semi-finals.BurgerKing Limerick 102 (47) 79 (43) Esat Business Demons
BJ McFarland 24 31 John Estick
Cleotis Browne 24 18 Mike Beckles
Matthew Hall 19 12 Brian Clernon
Burger King Limerick took an early lead in the game, and although Demons looked threatening at times, Limerick controlled the game throughout. BJ McFarland made his comeback in this exciting Cup fixture, and between himself and Cleotis Brown, Demons never got a look in. Midway through the first quarter, Limerick pulled away, taking an early 17-8 lead. Demons managed to bring it back to 4 points to end the first quarter 26-22.Demons did well to stay in the game in the second quarter, losing John Estick to a knee injury, keeping him out of play for most of the quarter. Mike Beckles put in a disappointing performance, particularly on the free throw line, but also missing come crucial points that would have allowed Demons take the lead. The Irish contingent, Brian Clernon and Shane Coughlan kept the Cork men in the game and trailed by 4 points, going into half-time 47-43.
The third quarter marked the end of Demons Cup aspirations, as Limerick stretched a 10-point lead 72-62 at the end of the quarter. Dave Barry had a superb game for Limerick, marking Mike Beckles and keeping him out of the game. Tommy Walsh has put in better performances for Limerick this season. He got into foul trouble early on in the game and fouled out in the final quarter. Matthew Hall found his last season’s form and made the top scorers with 19 points. The superb defense, along with the added strength of BJ McFarland gave Limerick the pass they needed to the quarter-final round of the ESB Cup.
Neptune 92 (43) 68 (39) Dart Killester
Kenny Gamble 30 23 Eric Jackson
Charron Watson 27 22 Chris Davis
Emmet Neville 17 10 Damien Sealy
The first round Cup game, with DART Killester, the current League and Cup holders, began at a furious pace with both teams missing scoring opportunities and after 5 minutes of play Neptune had a slender lead of 2 points (13-11). At this point the Neptune American, Kenny Gamble, picked up his 2nd foul and coach Martin Aherne sat him down for the remainder of the quarter. This gave Killester the chance to exert their height advantage and they finished the quarter with a 5 point lead (14-19).In the second quarter with Gamble back on court, the Neptune young guns began to fire on all cylinders and upped the speed of the game to reverse the 5 point deficit of the first quarter to go into the half-time break leading 43-39. Gamble hit 12 in this quarter, closely followed by Emmet Neville on 10. Chris Davis 8, John Quigley with 4 and a subdued Eric Jackson on 4 were best for Dart Killester in this quarter.
Neptune began the second half in sparkling form and increased their lead in the 3rd quarter to 13 points. Neville had 6 in the quarter and Watson 7. Coach Ken Black, on his first visit to the stadium in over ten years, with a last roll of the dice brought on Ed Randolf but he failed to make an impression.
Killester were no match for a much younger Neptune team, who maintained their concentration throughout and ran out easy winners in the end by 23 points. The win avenged their 2nd round exit from the competition last year by the same opposition.
Kenny Gamble had an outstanding game for Neptune and finished with a game high of 30 points, 13 rebounds and 3 spectacular blocks. He was well supported by Charron Watson on 27points and 17 rebounds.
Longnecks Ballina 91 (40) 103 (42) Frosties Tigers Tralee
Jerrod Paige 34 27 Rik Leonard
Keith Bridges 20 26 Jermaine Turner
Deora Marsh 19 12 Rob Schnurer
Last year’s Cup runners-up Ballina, pushed Frosties all the way before going down 103-91 in an unforgettable Cup clash in Castlebar. Frosties who are off the back of three straight League wins had Rik Leonard to thank for his 15 point contribution in over-time to bag them a victory that will see them through to the quarter-final round.Ballina started with Deora Marsh scoring freely while Turner had 10 points in the first quarter. The game went basket for basket with Frosties jumping out to a 9-point lead just before half-time and with baskets from Jerrod Paige and Marsh, Ballina trailed by two.
The start of the third quarter saw Ballina take a one-point lead for the first time in the game, but baskets from Schnurer and Williscroft, Frosties pushed ahead and with 2.10 on the clock, Frosties led by 11pts (71-82). Four 3-pointers in the last 2 minutes form Keith Bridges saw Ballina level the game 83 a piece with 2 seconds to go.
In overtime Tralee looked to Rikardo Leonard for help and with 15 points in 3.5 minutes, the Tralee side secured their quarter-final spot.
St Vincent’s 108 (54) 78 (41) Tyrone Towers
Cory Dickerson 24 24 Rod Ramsey
Mike Trimmer 19 19 Jamie Dell
Mick Richardson 17 7 Jeff Musudi
Having lost Dwayne McDonald to injury during the week, Mike Trimmer was recruited at the last moment and delivered the goods for Vincent’s in the all-important Cup fixture. St Vincent’s led for the entire game and enjoyed a comfortable passage to the next round of the Cup.Tyrone Towers 20th attempt to the quarter-final round was once again unsuccessful.
Sutton 72 (46) 96 (50) Sx3 Star
Bernard Walsh 20 28 Mervin Dickson
Brian Sheridan 14 18 Scott Summersgill
Pete Bryant 10 14 Deric McGhee
Sutton did well to hang on and trail by only 4 points going into half-time. Their Americans Brian Sheridan and Pete Bryant were in doubt ahead of the weekend, and although played today struggled with their injuries. The first and second quarters were basket for basket, but Star pulled away in the third quarter to land them their spot in the quarter-final round. Star’s new signing Mervin Dickson delivered the goods for his debut in an Irish competition, while Gareth Maguire sat out another weekend on the bench.Gleneagle Lakers 68 (37) 74 (41) Waterford Crystal
Billy Gilligan 29 23 Mike Keohane
Gareth Bragg 19 22 James Singleton
10 Robert Grant
Waterford were on fire when they came on the court in the National Event Centre in Killarney. Between Americans Mike Keohane and James Singleton they scored five 3-pointers, taking an early lead on the home team. Waterford were up 13-6 midway through the first quarter and held their lead 25-14 at the end.Waterford stretched to an 18-point lead five minutes into the second quarter 38-20, but Singleton got into foul trouble, picking up his third personal. Billy Gilligan made up for lost time and pulled the Lakers back to 4 points going into the second half.
Coach Michael Evans took the young Robert Grant off the bench in the third quarter and he scored 10 consecutive points to stretch the lead 49-39 in favour of Waterford. The third quarter finished 51-43.
Killarney fought hard in the final quarter, but Crystal were the superior team, and the only team from last year’s semi-finals to go through to the quarter finals.
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