Notre Dame in Cup
3 peat
Denny Notre Dame once again upset the form
book and Cork rivals Esat Telecom Blue Demons to lift an unprecedented
third straight Sprite Cup title.
Their 62-61 victory over their fancied
opponents was achieved in the most dramatic of circumstances as the Dublin
side were able to keep possession for the final 44 seconds and retain their
slender advantage. Echoes of finals past abounded, Anthony Jenkins and
Lennie McMillan rolling back the years for Notre Dame, with player / coach
Jenkins leading his side on 19 points and 14 rebounds. After sitting out
the 1998 showdown through injury, this win must have felt twice as good.
Demons led 34-40 at the half way point
and with their American and eventual MVP Dion Wingfield in great form,
the south coast outfit looked well placed for the title. However his countryman
Duval Simmonds picked up a crucial fourth foul late in the third quarter
and his resulting spell on the bench saw Denny move six points in front.
The gap was reduced once more to two points
and Shane Coughlan's steal lay in in the final minute proved decisive enough
for the title. Wingfield's 34 point
tally proved scant consolation for Pat Price's team but a final in their
first season back in the top flight is a positive sign for the club.
