Singleton Supervalu Brunell head coach Tim O’Halloran has labelled The Address UCC Glanmire as “huge favourites” in their InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup semi-final. The local derby on Friday night at Neptune Stadium kicks off a 13-game semi-final weekend in Cork, with games also taking place at Parochial Hall.
O’Halloran says the build-up hasn’t been ideal ahead of the semi-final. “As 2022 starts we look forward to what should be a great game in the semi-final of the Cup against local rivals Glanmire. Like all other teams, preparations have been hampered, but we will not use that as an excuse. Glanmire will be huge favourites, with the players they have they have been flying in the league, but I have a great young team and I have huge belief in them. Let’s hope we just give the fans a great occasion, as we all could do with something enjoyable.”
Singleton SuperValu Brunell reached both the 2019 and 2020 finals, while The Address UCC Glanmire last tasted Paudie O’Connor Cup success in 2017, which was the club’s fourth year in a row to lift the title. Head coach Mark Scannell gave his thoughts on the game. “First of all, it’s important to say that we are very lucky to be playing sport at this very difficult time in society. Managing Covid, keeping people safe and trying to train and prepare is the most challenging thing I, my players, and all the other teams, have had to contend with ever before a Cup semi-final. In saying that, we are looking forward to a very difficult game. Brunell are having a great season, they are well coached, very organised and have some of the very best players in the country. Throw in two good Americans and the fact they’ve been to the last two finals and you see the task ahead.
“Big games, big occasions and a local derby makes this exactly what our team needs right now. We’re ready, we’ve prepared as well as possible and hopefully we give the performance on the night that we will need. We have a great tradition in the Cup and it’s been a while since we won it, so I have great belief that this group will not be found wanting come Friday night.”
The other Paudie O’Connor semi-final sees WIT Waterford Wildcats take on DCU Mercy. The sides have met twice in the MissQuote.ie Super League already, with one win apiece, but neither head coach thinks those games will have any bearing come this weekend.
“The Cup semi-final will be the third meeting of the season for us against Wildcats. Both teams know each other a lot better now than in the previous meetings” DCU Mercy head coach Mark Ingle said.
“The last one was badly hampered by players missing due to the Covid outbreak. It remains to be seen what effect it will have on both squads, as both teams had cases in the last two weeks. However, we have prepared as best we can and we are ready to battle to try and reach the Cup final."
DCU Mercy last lifted the Cup in 2018 and are the current MissQuote.ie Super League holders. WIT Waterford Wildcats head coach Tommy O’Mahony highlighted his opponents pedigree. “Coming up against a powerhouse - the likes of DCU Mercy - as always is a daunting task. The last few times we have met both teams have been understrength, so past results count for nothing. After being off for two weeks we know we have to put in some extra work in order to competitive against a top team like DCU. We know how special the Cup is and we are really looking forward to playing for a chance to play in one of the biggest games of the year. Saturday can't come quick enough for us.”
The 2020 Pat Duffy Cup finalists DBS Éanna will be looking to reach the January showcase again this year. Standing in their way in the semi-finals is Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, a side which head coach Darren McGovern described as a “juggernaut”.
“Cup semi-final weekend in Cork was a goal of ours this season. We are delighted to make it back here. We had two great performances against (Belfast) Star and (Team 360 Financial) Killorglin to get to this point. Now we face the juggernaut that is Tralee. Their American duo have been fantastic for them, but it would be silly of us to think that's that about them. They have great balance and flow to their team. Our job is to disrupt that flow and we've been concentrating on doing so”, McGovern stated.
“Our prep has be severely hampered after having some positive cases in our camp, along with others isolating at different times. It's a very testing time for everyone I'm sure, but our focus is Saturday. We might get a full session Wednesday or Thursday to prep. I'm excited, the guys are and I'm sure it'll be a great game.”
His counterpart at Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, John Dowling, feels his side are “underdogs” going into the game. “I don’t think there is a basketball fan in the country who’s not excited to see Cup semi-finals back in Cork and we are no different. It’s going to be very special to be back in Neptune after a year’s absence. We have huge respect for Darren (McGovern), everyone at Éanna and what they have achieved over the last numbers of years. They are a well-balanced group, with massive experience and are going to be hard to get the better of. Coming in as underdogs this time will suit us and we are looking for a gritty, determined, performance from our guys. The Cup is a special competition, but only special if you win it and we are very determined to do that.”
C&S Neptune last won the Cup in 2013, while NUIG Maree are playing in their first ever senior Cup semi-final. The Galway club eliminated defending champions Griffith College Templeogue and UCD Marian on their way to the last four, however Charlie Crowley, NUIG Maree head coach, feels it will be a big step up. “We travel to Neptune in what will be our most difficult game to date. Playing any team in a semi-final is tough, but coming up against Neptune in Neptune Stadium is the arguably the toughest. We had an exciting game down there earlier on in the year, where we just fell short. They’ve got top pros, top Irish players and a great coach. To beat that we know we’ll have to be on top of our game.”
“The lads dug deep to get the (InsureMyVan.ie Super League) win against a free scoring Killorglin side. It was important that we got over the line against them, as we were behind for a five minute period, but our talent shone through towards the end. The lads have been training hard the last week or so in preparation for this semi-final. They know the magnitude of it, no point trying to hide it, it’s this team’s first ever game at this stage of the competition. Hopefully we can put in a good performance, as only that will give us a chance.“
Colin O’Reilly, C&S Neptune player/coach, feels the sides are evenly matched. “The Cup is a special competition in Irish sports and we are glad to be still involved at the business end. We have navigated the Christmas period well considering the current climate and looking forward now to playing our first game in three weeks. We may have some rust to begin the game with, but hopefully the adrenaline of a Cup semi-final will push us through any tough spots. Ourselves and Maree match up very well across all key statistics, so it should be a very interesting high-paced game, with high level players on view.”
In the President’s Cup it’s been a dream start to life as a National League club for Drogheda Wolves, reaching the Cup semi-finals in their inaugural season and head coach Gavin Garland is looking forward to pitting his wits against IT Carlow Basketball supremo Martin Conroy. ”Drogheda Wolves are very excited to be in their first semi-final of National League. But to be also playing Carlow and Kojak (Martin Conroy) is even more exciting, with Kojak so closely linked to the club via friendships and camps. Also one of our players moving over to Carlow, it makes a good fixture even more high stakes! It's also the third game against the Southern Conference, which has been very enjoyable to see the strength of the Southern Conference. This has allowed us to grow and learn”, Garland said.
Martin Conroy also praised the impact that Drogheda Wolves have made since their National League arrival this season. “We’re looking forward to a fantastic game this weekend against Drogheda Wolves. They’ve been on a roll lately, beating very good teams in close games on the road. Gav (Garland) is doing a fantastic job up there and his team are responding with results on the floor. They have the experience of playing in the Intermediate Cup, so this won’t be in any way daunting for them and with Ciaran, Podge and the pros they’ve brought in, they will definitely be a handful and we have the utmost respect for them. If we play our basketball we’re a hard team to beat. If our guys show up ready and healthy, then I think this will be one of the games of the weekend. Whichever team comes through this semi-final will be a massive underdog in the final, but both of us want to have that chance of playing in the biggest one-off game of the year.”
Seven-time National Cup winners UCC Demons have made an unbeaten start this season, on their return to the National League. 2015 was the last time they won the Pat Duffy Cup and now they’re targeting success in the Presidents’ Cup. Speaking ahead of their game with EJ Sligo All-Stars, head coach Daniel O’Mahony said: “There is a great buzz around the club last few weeks after we secured our spot on this year’s Cup semi-final. As you know Demons have had huge success in National Cups over the past 10 years, so when we re-entered the league this year it was always a target of mine and the club’s to get back to the Cup semi-finals and give yourself an opportunity to play for the National Cup.”
“Sligo will be a tough opponent, as they have three very good professionals who I’m sure would have played in big games during their professional career. I think it has the makings of a great semi-final, as we haven’t played each other in the league. So although we know each other’s personnel and the key players, this will be first opportunity to go head-to-head. The lead up hasn’t been ideal, with players missing due to Covid protocols and last two games called off, but we are hoping with our fans behind us they will give us that extra lift to go forward and book our spot in the Cup final.”
Shane O’Meara, EJ Sligo All-Stars head coach, added: “We are looking forward to a very close, competitive game. Blue Demons are the only unbeaten team in the country and we have just one loss. Despite some injury concerns and Covid difficulties, we have a group of guys who are excited about the opportunity to get back to the cup final again. The individual match-ups will be interesting to watch and I think its whichever team figures those out best will come out on top.”
In the Women’s Division 1 National Swords Thunder face Griffith College Templeogue in the opening semi-final. Niamh O’Donovan, Swords Thunder player/coach believes that mastering defence will be a crucial factor to secure victory.
“Well we had some setbacks with Covid over Christmas which was disappointing, but preparing this week for the game. I think it’s going to be a tough game and while we haven’t played Templeogue in the league so far, they’d had some great games that were high scoring, so defence is key and working together as a team, with everyone on the bench ready to hit the ground running when they come in,” O’Donovan stated.
Mark Byrne, Griffith College Templeogue head coach also highlighted Covid difficulties in preparation for the game. “We’re excited to be involved in a cup semi-final at National League level. Obviously with the level of Covid in the country at the moment preparations have been far from ideal, but it’s probably the same for a lot of clubs. Our over-riding thought is that of excitement. We’ve an great opportunity to get to a Cup final, albeit against a strong Swords team, with some excellent individual players like Aisling Sullivan and Peggy Black, in particular. We’ll be going into the game in a positive frame of mind and looking to produce a great performance.”
Limerick Sport Huskies and NUIG Mystics are the top two in the MissQuote.ie Division 1, but their attentions are firmly on the Cup semi’s this weekend. Des O’Sullivan, Limerick Sport Huskies head coach said: “As a club, Limerick Sport Huskies are very excited to have the opportunity to play once again in a Cup semi-final and we are looking forward to the challenge of competing against a very talented team from NUIG Mystics."
Paul O’Brien, NUIG Mystics head coach, is wary of the threats posed by their upcoming opponents. “Cup semi-finals weekend is one of the highlights in the basketball calendar and we are really looking forward to being part of it on Saturday. Like everyone, we have had some Covid impact heading into the weekend, which has slightly affected our preparation, but we are looking in decent shape going into the game.
“Huskies are a great team and have put together an impressive run of wins together between the league and Cup. They have two of the best players in the league, who can give them an excellent chance of winning any game. It's going to be a great game between two teams with really good form and hopefully we put on a good show and add to what a great weekend it is bound to be.”
Limerick Celtics face Killester WBC in the IWA Cup semi-finals on Saturday. The other semi-final between Rebel Wheelers and Clonaslee WBC was postponed for a week due to Covid-19.
In the U20 Men’s National Cup UCC Blue Demons face Ballincollig BC at 10am on Sunday at Neptune Stadium, followed straight afterwards by UCD Marian against KCYMS.
The U20 Women’s National Cup also take place on Sunday, where Parochial Hall plays host to Singleton Supervalu Brunell versus Portlaoise Panthers at 11am, while at 2pm it’s Waterford Wildcats against DCU Mercy.
InsureMyVan.ie National Cup semi-final fixtures:
Friday 7th January
Neptune Stadium
Paudie O'Connor Cup
The Address UCC Glanmire v Singleton SuperValu Brunell (1815)
Saturday 8th January
Neptune Stadium
IWA Cup
Limerick Celtics v Killester WBC (1000)
Paudie O'Connor Cup
DCU Mercy v WIT Waterford Wildcats (1230)
Pat Duffy Cup
DBS Éanna v Garvey's Tralee Warriors (1600)
C&S Neptune v NUIG Maree (1800)
Parochial Hall
Women's Division 1 National Cup
Swords Thunder v Griffith College Templeogue (0930)
Limerick Sport Huskies v NUIG Mystics (1220)
Presidents' Cup
Drogheda Wolves v IT Carlow Basketball (1510)
UCC Demons v EJ Sligo All-Stars (1800)
Sunday 9th January
Neptune Stadium
U20 Men’s National Cup
UCC Blue Demons v Ballincollig BC (1000)
UCD Marian v KCYMS (1200)
IWA Cup
Rebel Wheelers v Clonaslee WBC (1400) (POSTPONED)
Parochial Hall
U20 Women’s National Cup
Singleton Supervalu Brunell v Portlaoise Panthers (1100)
Waterford Wildcats v DCU Mercy (1400)
