'The goal was to get to this stage' - Limerick Sport Eagles Head Coach Niall McDermott looks ahead to Division One play-off final

THE Limerick Sport Eagles are gearing up for a crucial Domino's Men's Division One play-off final tonight in what has been a stellar season to date for Niall McDermott's side. 

The Derry native was pleased his his side's semi final outing against Drogheda Wolves. 

"We had a huge second quarter where we won the quarter 33-12. A lot of times for us it's our defence that flows into our offence. If we play really good defence, the offence picks up too but it all starts with defence and we never looked back from there. 

The Eagles finished the regular season top of the Southern Conference boasting an impressive 16-6 record. Their points tally of 48 points was enough to secure them top spot, three points ahead of second place Maree. 

Finishing top of the pile earned the Eagles a home quarter final tie against Dublin's Moy Tolka Rovers who finished fourth in the Northern Conference. 

McDermott's charges ran out convincing 87-70 winners at the UL Arena which set up a semi-final clash with the Drogheda Wolves, who the Eagles defeated in this year's National Cup final in January. 

The Limerick side were yet again granted home advantage for their final four clash where they were victorious yet again against their Louth-based opposition, running out 88-64 winners. 

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This Saturday, the Eagles have the chance to add to their National Cup success when they face Titans BC at the National Basketball Arena on Saturday night at 8.15pm. 

Titans finished the regular season in fourth position of the Southern Conference on 39 points, boasting a 13-9 record. 

McDermott has been impressed with tonight's opponents this season. 

"I think their league position is a bit misleading. They've had injuries to key plyers throughout the season. They were almost always missing one or two key players for the past month or so. 

"Since they have been fully healthy, they have been in unbelievable form and they're winning games comfortably. They're in hot form at the moment and they're a young team like ourselves but they have really talented players who can cause us some problems. 

The Galway-based side were victorious in their quarter final outing against Dublin Lions at Coláiste Bríde in Clondalkin, running out narrow 82-78 winners. 

Their win in the capital set up a final four clash with Maree at Calasanctius College where they were convincing 80-55 winners. 

That win sets up a mouth-watering clash against the Eagles who will be favourites on paper but there will be nothing to separate the sides tonight in what is sure to be a blockbuster clash.

"This was the ultimate goal for us, to get to this stage. Our approach to the season has been to take it game by game and we're hopeful for one last, big performance and to get the job done.

"This season, we've treated every game like a cup final. We will prepare the exact same for the final as we have done every other game this season. We're just going to treat it like any other game."

"Hopefully that keeps everyone levelled going into the contest because it's a huge game of course. There's a lot of excitement but we're heading out to do the job we're supposed to do and if we do that we're confident we will get the right result," McDermott concluded.