"We just can't wait for it now" - Limerick Sport Eagles captain Ronan Cregan on National Cup Final

PREPARATIONS are well under way for the Limerick Sport Eagles as they gear up for a Domino's Men's Division One Cup Final against Drogheda Wolves at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin. 

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Niall McDermott's side recorded am 84-68 semi-final victory over Templeogue of Dublin which now sets up a mouth-watering clash with Drogheda on Sunday at 2.30pm. 

Eagles' captain Ronan Cregan says that his side went into their semi-final clash with Templeogue knowing the challenge that lay ahead of them. 

"We went into it knowing it was going to be a tough game against a tough competitor. We knew it was going to be a tough game from the start. We started off very well, we led 18-3 but Templeogue brought it back to a six-point game so it was close. Alex (Carlisle) had a fantastic game, Tobi (Christensen) also had a triple-double and played really well.

"Templeogue went with a really big team and we went with a smaller team and it really worked well for us. Our defence was brilliant, our transition was very good. Niall's coaching was second to none. We scouted them well, we knew the players they had and we were just very happy with how we played. 

"The cup can be very unpredictable but I was confident in our ability. I know if we can play the way we can play, I won't be worried. I was confident that as long as the whole team had their head screwed on, which they did, that we were going to get the job done."

Cregan says that are excitement levels are high in the camp following the Eagles' semi-final heroics and states that the team 'just can't wait' for their final showdown with Drogheda. 

"We just can't wait for it now, really looking forward to testing ourselves against Drogheda as they're a fantastic team. We have played them before which can be both a good and a bad thing as they know what we're like but we know what they're like as well. It was a close game in the league when we played them and I imagine it will be more of the same in the final."

Cregan says that reaching this season's National cup final 'means everything' to the club and those involved. 

"It means everything to this club. I've been on the team seven years now at this stage and we have reached finals before but unfortunately came out on the wrong side of them but all of the commitment and training makes it worthwhile for occasions like this.

"I'm working full-time so I have to commit to a strict schedule to be able to play basketball but finals like this are what makes everything worthwhile. I haven't been able to stop smiling since we won the semi-final to be honest and it's great for the club as a whole and for our sponsors.

"It's great that we can get to a cup final and reward them and the effort that they've put in with us. For young players as well to see fellow Limerick players reach a cup final, the Huskies have a final to look forward to as well so it's great for young girls in the county too to see what's going on. The two clubs are playing on the same day and we're over the moon that we've both reached National Cup Finals," Cregan concluded.