Cork clubs claim historic wins
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Rebel Wheeler’s celebrate with the cup after their win in the Irish Wheelchair Association National Cup Final on Friday. Photo: INPHO/Nick Elliott ©INPHO/Nick ElliottImage 2 of 8
Ballincollig’s Ciaran O’Sullivan takes a shot. Photo: INPHO/Tom Maher ©INPHO/Tom MaherImage 3 of 8
Ballincollig’s Latrell Jossell celebrates winning the Domino’s Men’s Super League National Cup Final. Photo: INPHO/Tom Maher ©INPHO/Tom MaherImage 4 of 8
MVP Niamh Dwyer of Fr Mathews with her niece Frankie Desmond and her children Reece and Eden presented by Jason Thornton, Chair of the NABC. Photo: INPHO/James Crombie ©INPHO/James CrombieImage 5 of 8
Kate Sullivan, sister of Garvey’s Tralee Warriors’ Cian Sullivan, shows her support ahead of the game. Photo: INPHO/Tom Maher ©INPHO/Tom MaherImage 6 of 8
The Fr Mathews team celebrates their NICC Women’s National Cup Final. Photo: INPHO/James Crombie ©INPHO/James CrombieImage 7 of 8
Fr Mathews’ Natasha Bowdren, Amy Corkery and Heather Lynch celebrate. Photo: INPHO/James Crombie ©INPHO/James CrombieImage 8 of 8
A Fr Mathews fan looks on pensively. Photo: INPHO/James Crombie ©INPHO/James CrombieBallincollig and Fr Mathews achieved their first national cups after a great weekend for Cork basketball clubs at the finals weekend at the National Basketball Arena.
Rebel Wheelers also earned their IWA National Cup in a row while Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell lifted the Ken Clarke U20 Women’s National Cup.
On Friday, Rebel Wheelers secured an amazing seventh IWA National Cup in a row, following a 62-47 win over South East Swifts at the National Basketball Arena. Conor Coughlan scored 21 points for the victors on his way to claiming the MVP.
On Saturday evening, Ballincollig won their first ever Domino’s MSL National Cup, following an impressive 104-77 win over Garvey’s Tralee Warriors at the National Basketball Arena. Latrell Jossell was name as the game MVP after scoring 31 points including an incredible eight three-point efforts.
Ballincollig blitzed Tralee Warriors in the first quarter with American import Jossell converting six of his seven three-point attempts in a remarkable opening quarter. The Cork side lead 60-39 at half-time and maintained their lead throughout the second half to seal a momentous win after an impressive attacking performance.
Mathews’ comeback
Also on Saturday, Fr Mathews mounted a third quarter comeback to stun Liffey Celtics and claim their first NICC Women’s National Cup following a 59-52 win. 43 year old Niamh Dwyer rolled back the years, racking up an 18 point second half, to inspire her side the victory and claim the MVP gong.
Liffey Celtics, who were looking to claim a third title in four years, were 32-21 up at half-time and managed to stretch their advantage to 15 points 40-25 during the third quarter. Fr Mathews responded with an 12 point run, completed by a Dwyer layup to make the score 40-37. In the closing stretch Dwyer proved the difference. She knocked down a three with two minutes remaining to give Fr Mathews a 54-49 lead. She then landed another three with 32.9 seconds left on the clock, to make it 59-51. “I was like a kid again. This was my Christmas Day,” she said afterwards.
Roundup
Neptune lost out narrowly to Titans in the U20 Men’s National Cup on Saturday in a dramatic 73-69 loss. Titans came from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell lifted the Ken Clarke U20 Women’s National Cup, following a 59-46 win over Templeogue. Abbie Lyons claimed the MVP after her 13 point and seven rebound performance, but there were a number of players that stood out for the victors, chief among them was Francesca Kyamagero, who finished with 15 points and 18 rebounds.
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell were edged by Limerick Celtics in the U18 Women's National Cup 51-49 in a closely-fought contest.