UCD Marian make their way to Cork this weekend with both the U20 and Superleague teams hoping to gain a place in this years cup finals.

The National Cup Semi Final will be hosted by Neptune Basketball club from today, Friday January 15^th-17^th.

It is quite fitting that Neptune Stadium has been chosen to host these games as it is 25 years since the first National Cup final took place at the famous Cork Venue.
Incidentally, it was Burgerland Neptune who claimed the cup on that occasion, beating Team Britvic Blue Demons on a dramatic scoreline of 92-91. The women’s final of that year went to Meteors, who saw off the challenge of Naomh Mhuire 61-57. 

UCD Marian has strong representation as the U20 team take on Belfast Star to defend their title as current cup holders. Following their quarter-final win against northern team, Ulster Elks, the Superleague team face a very strong Killester side that are current Northern Conference league leaders and last years Cup runners up. However UCD will have confidence in the fact that they who inflicted a 72-67 defeat on Killester earlier in the season.

“It’s the biggest game of our season so far,” said Killester Head Coach Mark Keenan. “We will need to overturn the league defeat earlier in the season and the team realize it’s a one off chance and we are so determined to atone for the disappointment of last season.

“UCD/Marian have proved tricky opponents for us and this is a fantastic opportunity for them,” he added. “However, we will be looking to the likes of Jermaine (Turner), hopefully we will have Paddy (Kelly) back from injury, while Pete Madsen is also playing well so hopefully that continues this weekend.”

UCD/Marian unfortunatly have been stuttering in the league, managing just three wins so far, loosing games by the smallest of margins and their Head Coach Fran Ryan knows his side have a serious challenge if they are to book their place in the final.

“It’s a totally different game from the one we won in the league,” said Ryan. “This time it is the Cup semi final and Killester have been there, done that and have huge experience. They have superb players like Jermaine Turner, Damian Sealey and Paddy Kelly – to name but a few. Our team’s average age is 21 years. We have some disadvantages as three of our players must compete the day before. Obviously, Killester have to be bookies favorites.”

In other Basketball news:

The derby game at Belfield between UCD-Marian and DCU-Saints on Sunday 20^th of December in the Superleague, was a tight affair until the final quarter.

Both sides played good defence, ran the ball on the break and committed themselves to every play and the balance in the game can be seen from the scores of the first three quarters which were 22-21, 15-17 and 18-16.  Daniel James and Niall Meany were playing well for UCD while Eoin Darling and Eoin Quill were making good contributions for DCU. A final second dunk from Neil Baynes in that third quarter meant that the home side led 55 – 54 entering the final phase..

The game remained deadlocked until four three pointers from UCD’s American Ian McCormick – who top scored in the game with 24 points – and from UCD’s Conor James opened up a vital lead for the home team. Although DCU’s Emmet Donnelly (14 points) and Mike Trimmer (12 points) did everything they could to reduce the deficit, a further spectacular dunk from Neil Baynes had the crowd on its feet and then four cool free throws from Conor Meany in the final minute ensured a happier Christmas break for UCD-Marian who ran out winners on a score line of 78 – 69.

UCD Marian 78-37 (HT) DCU Saints 69-38 (HT)

UCD Vs Belfast Star    Sunday 3^rd January 2010 

Belfast Star closed the gap on Northern Conference leaders Killester with a hard fought 89-82 success against UCD/Marian here in Belfield.
The first quarter of the game between UCD-Marian and Belfast Star was dominated by Kevin Ratzsch, Star’s American, who score 13 of his side’s 27 points. In reply, a lack-lustre home side could only manage 17 points, with Conor Meany and American Ian McCormick both early scorers.

In the second quarter, Daniel James moved to take Ratzsch, and this, together with an upping of the overall defensive intensity, led to a much more even quarter which Star, helped by two important three pointers from Ewan McGrattan, won by a single point, to lead 47 – 36 at the half-time break.

In the third quarter, seven early points from Conor and Daniel James gave UCD-Marian some much needed momentum and allowed Neil Baynes to contribute eight points. In addition Daniel James kept Kevin Ratzsch scoreless from the floor and although Scott Summersgill contributed two excellent three pointers for the visitors, at the end of the quarter the home side only trailed by a single basket, 61 – 63.

The game remained tight in the final quarter and when Daniel James nailed a long three with five and half minutes on the clock, and the game tied at 73 – 73, it looked as if the game might swing towards the home side.    With 2:30 remaining, Neil Baynes fouled out with an offensive foul but three good baskets from Conor Meany kept UCD-Marian in the hunt until the final minute.   However a free throw and a basket from Ciaran McVeigh, a free throw from Scott Summersgill and two free throws from Kevin Ratzsch without any reply from Marian brought Belfast Star over the line on a final scoreline of 89 – 82.

UCD 82                       Belfast Star 89 (FT)

36                                            47 (HT)

I McCormick 26          K Ratzsch 30

C Meany 17                 S Summersgill 19

D James 13                  E McGrattan14