Killester 69
UCC Demons 94
UCC Demons were unable to repeat last year's heroics in the National Cup as they were comprehensively beaten by Killester in last weekend's final.

Killester's Jermaine Turner tormented Demons throughout with an MVP performance after an all round display including a points tally of 29 points. Demons never got going and were shell-shocked as Killester produced a devastating opening quarter with Turner's penetrating drive to the basket marking the opening score of the game.

The North Dublin outfit maintained their early form with Paddy Kelly driving strong to the basket before a steal from the Irish international lead to Turner providing the first dunk of the game.

The experienced Niall O'Reilly converted a three to get Demons a much needed boost but further good play from Keith Anderson, Damien Sealy and Turner left Killester side with a highly commanding 28-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The lead was to increase significantly in the second quarter with Killester producing a devastating display with the unstoppable Turner once again opening the scoring. With six minutes to go in this period, they held a phenomenal 42-20 lead.

Demons' misery continued with the Killester guards picking off steals and running in uncontested layups. A miserable quarter for the Demons was rounded off with another big three from Michael Goy to leave a mammoth 36 points between the sides at the break. (60-24)

Early baskets from Kyle Hosford and Shane Coughlan provided a brief spell of hope for Demons in the early stages of the third quarter but it would take something of a miracle for the Cork side to find a way back. Robbie Clarke sunk a three pointer from long range to rule out any chances of a comeback for last year's cup champions.

With a minute and a half left on the clock in the third, Sealy hit two free throws and then got a block against Michael Plichta to give Killester an unassailable 77-46 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was a formality with Demons still failing to convert, while Killester were providing no let up in a one sided contest. Clarke was proving a thorn for Demons with a three pointer with less than two and a half minutes remaining signalling a gap of 28 points.

It was a devastating display and the final score of 94-69 certainly made up for the disappointment of last season's cup final defeat to Demons. Meanwhile, Team Montenotte Hotel Cork's dreams of a fourth cup title in a row and put an end by Mount Mercy at the weekend.

Mercy overturned a 10-point deficit in the early stages to lead 23-18 at the end of the first quarter but it was their dominance in the final quarter that ensured their years of waiting for the most glittering prize in Irish women's basketball was over.

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