Limerick Celtics claim thrilling U18 National Cup final success

LIMERICK Celtics put in a dominant performance to beat Templeogue 79-53 in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Men’s Billy Coffey National Cup final on Friday night at the National Basketball Arena.

There were several notable performances among the Limerick Celtics contingent, in a fine team display, including that of MVP Dennis Matthews who had 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists points, while Cian Gleeson racked up 16 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals and Martin Frawley picked up 11 points, 14 rebounds, 6 steals and 5 assists.

Templeogue made a bright start, Daniel Carbery’s four points helped them to an early 6-2 lead. Carbery would finish as Templeogue’s leading scorer with 19 points, along with 13 rebounds.

Once Matthews’ three landed to make 6-6 just before the four minute mark, it seemed to get Limerick Celtics into their stride and they would lead 21-15 by the end of the first.

In fact Limerick Celtics stayed in front for the rest of the game and by half-time their lead was 13 points, 37-24. A lovely left handed layup from Matthews brought Limerick Celtics up to 50, as they led 50-33 with 4’11 to go in the third.

A long range three pointer by Matthew Barry had Limerick Celtics 55-34 ahead with a little under two minutes to go in the quarter and brought their vocal travelling support to their feet in the process. Limerick Celtics would lead by 20 by the end of it, 57-37.

Templeogue needed a good start to the fourth and despite getting the opening basket another long-range three - this time from Matthews - a layup by Barry and another three from Sean McNamara stretched their advantage two minutes in, 65-39.

Limerick Celtics continued to have joy from the three-point line – Cian Gleeson was the next to land one, to make it 75-45 with three and a half minutes to go. Templeogue battled hard and Darragh O’Toole’s lovely three point jump shot with 1’46 left on the clock illustrated that. However it was to be Limerick Celtics’ day and they ended 79-53 victors.

Head coach Tony Hehir said: “I thought the lads were really fired up before the game, I thought our defence was excellent, we did a great job of containing Templeogue throughout the game. They have some excellent players, that we did an excellent job of containing them from scoring. 

“We were nervous at the start and then we got into the game and every player made a huge contribution towards the game.”

Limerick Celtics 79–53 Templeogue  

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 21-15, Q2: 37-24, Q3: 57-37, Q4: 79-53

Limerick Celtics: Cian Gleeson, James Corcoran, Martin Frawley, Sean McNamara, Daniel O’Toole, Rodhan Harris, Philip Kearney, Oliver Barry, Dennis Matthews, Kevin Morrow, Matthew Barry, Con Kirby, Colm McCarthy, Callum O’Rourke, Asher Holmes, Amr Adballs Coach: Tony Hehir Asst Coach: Michelle Aspell Team Manager: Miriam Gleeson Physio/Medic: Dave Barry

Top Scorers: Dennis Matthews (19), Cian Gleeson (16), Sean McNamara (13), Martin Frawley (11), Matthew Barry (10)

Templeogue: Gian Melvern G Cabello, Lance Miguel Antolin, Garreth Brady, Felix McMahon, Darragh O’Toole, Tom Sinnott, Alexandru Cristian Pulu, Adam Tighe, Daniel Carberry, Jack Wright, Jack Finn, Jacob Fazande 

Top Scorers: Daniel Carberry (19), Jack Wright (9) Jacob Fazande (6), Adam Tighe (6), Gian Melvern G Cabello (4)

MEANWHILE, Limerick Celtics lost out to Rebel Wheelers 69-55 in the InsureMyHouse.ie IWA National Cup final at the National Basketball Arena on Friday night.

It was a tight opening half, Quinn was a potent threat at the basket, which yielded 15 points by the break for Rebel Wheelers, while Conor Coughlan was also on form with seven by the break to help them to a 32-28 lead.

Tiarnan O’Donnell was another to dazzle at the National Basketball Arena he had 16 points by half-time for Limerick Celtics and would finish up with a game-high 33 points, while racking up a massive 22 rebounds and four assists.

The game was level at 34-34 three minutes into the third, the impressive O’Donnell getting the basket to get them there. It sparked an eight-point run in the next two minutes by Rebel Wheelers finished off by Quinn’s two pointer, to hold a 42-34 advantage.

But again Limerick Celtics came back and by the time Jodie Waite landed her basket it was 48-43, to bring her personal tally up to eight points by that stage, as they trailed 48-43 with a minute to go. But points from Quinn and Coughlan gave Rebel Wheelers a 52-43 lead going into the final quarter.

Rebel Wheelers 69–55 Limerick Celtics  

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 14-12, Q2: 32-28, Q3: 52-43, Q4: 69-55

Rebel Wheelers: Con Coughlan, Jack Quinn, Yacine Soubabe, Alex Hennebry, Derek Hegarty, Alan Dineen, Neil O’Sullivan, Conor Simpson, Oisin O’Connor, Jack Mangan, Darragh O’Regan, Slaowomir Juranek, Conor Coughlan, Dylan McCarthy, Adam Drummond, Sean Ryan, Hannah Walsh 

Coach: Alan Dineen Asst Coaches: Con Coughlan, Jerry O’Regan 

Top Scorers: Jack Quinn (27), Conor Coughlan (11), Jack Mangan (10), Dylan McCarthy (10), Derek Hegarty (9)

Limerick Celtics: Seamus Long, Joseph Hargrow, Carlos De Bunes, James McCarthy, Tiarnan O’Donnell, Jodie Waite, Aaron Galvin 

Coach: Joseph Hargrow Asst Coach: Tiarnan O’Donnell

Top Scorers: Tiarnan O’Donnell (33), Jodie Waite (10), Joseph Hargrow (6), Carlos De Bunes (4), Seamus Long (2)