UCD added to their National Cup victory and celebrated a 19 point victory at the expense of NUI Galway on a final score line of 69-50 in the Intervarsity Men’s A Final.

A scoreless opening two minutes as both teams tested the defense. Dylan Cunningham (NUIG) broke the tension as he nailed a deep three. UCD’s Dan James showed his aggressiion early in the game with a great drive with contact to the basket in the following possession. James Loughnane turned scorer to provider as he found Stephen Tummon for an open jump shot at the top of the key, UCD’s Conor James rose to the basket against NUIG’s Cunningham to keep UCD ahead by seven. End of quarter score: 16-23 to UCD.

Luke McCrone (UCD) completed a three point play in the opening minute of the second quarter, which saw NUIG’s Tummon pick up his second foul. A contested three by Cathal Finn (UCD) dropped short but he managed to get his own rebound and complete for the easy deuce. Liam Conroy reduced NUIG’s defict to six with a tough drive to the basket. McCrone drew Tummon on his third foul and was forced to sub out. Matt Kelly restored UCD’s lead to ten with an open jump shot from the wing. Conor James further extended the lead to 13 with a long three. As UCD Coach Niall Meany rorated his bench, UCD were able to finish the quarter 22-39.

The third quarter started with Dan James extending the lead with another ‘3’.  McCrone continued to prove  to be a hassle under the boards drawing fouls and grabbing rebouds.  UCD’s Cathal Finn scored another three to keep his team ahead by 20. This quarter was dominated by UCD with power forward Luke McCrone dictating the tempo. End of quarter score: 36-60 to UCD.

The fourth quarter saw NUIG rotate their bench as they attempted to solve the mystery in stopping UCD and their offense.  Dan James continued the onslaught with the crowd shouting MVP! Gerard Lyons scored a late three but down 18 points the match was almost over. Final score: 50-69 to UCD

“I think it all came down to our defense in the first half”, said MVP Dan James,
“We were able to shut them down in the first half, build a comfortable lead and were able to concentrate on offense more in the second half”.

 We got away with a comfortable win. I would to thank all the staff at UCD on behalf of the team, especially Georgina Dwyer and John Young.”

As hosts, UCD were on the verge of winning the double with the UCD Ladies also in the final, but it wasnt to be as UCC lifted the Ladies A Intervarsity trophy after defeating UCD on a final tally of 74-61 in the final.

Team Montenotte SuperLeague star Claire Rockall contributed 24 points in the victory while also grabbing the MVP award for her efforts.

Sarah Woods and Eimear Mairtin led the attack for UCD by combining for 28 points but it was Cork stars Claire Rockall and Aine McKenna who stole the show by contributing 24 and 13 points respectively.

Throughout the game, the Cork side gripped a lead that UDC struggled to close. However, UCD came close in the third quarter with both Alison Maguire and Sarah Woods connecting on baskets to bring the deficit to four points.

UCC could not be deterred as they surged ahead on the defensive end and rendered the Dublin team scoreless during the fourth quarter. Cork took advantage of the laspe with Rockall draining a long three pointer to increase their lead to double digits.

A final basket by UCC’s Emma Sherwood sealed the victory as Head Coach Rachel Vanderwal credited the win to the player’s poise.

“I am delighted for the team as they have really worked hard throughout this tournament and today’s victory really showed just reward”.

Dublin Business School claimed the Men’s Varsities B Plate after defeating Blanchardstown IT with a final score line of 79-50.

Eoin Chubb picked up the MVP hardward with a personal tally of 15 points after showcasing an all-star effort on both ends of the floor.

Blanchardstown IT’s Eanna Rutherford had a solid display with 17 points in the match up but it wasn’t enough to surpass the combo of DBS’s Braden Billbe, Glen Wong and Eoing Chubb who combined for 49 points, respectively.

DBS Head Coach Dave Baker believed the final score wasn’t a true reflection of the game.

“All credit to both teams as Blanchardstown really fought hard”,

“This was a tough final and they really made us work for everything and I am happy we came out wiht the win”.

NUIM edged out DIT in the Intervarsity Women’s B final courtesy of a 56-52 score line. 

NUIM’s Sarah Cusack took home the coveted MVP honours as she led her team’s defensive attack to swipe the four point victory.

DIT’s Jodie Black netted 20 points in the contest but it wasn’t enough to overcome the NUIM’s defensive contribution by Cusack and teammate Louise Gray whose scoring prowess connected for 23 points, respectively.

NUIM Head Coach Brian O’Malley expressed his delight with the win and credited the effort on defense as the sole factor.

“This was a fantastic performance by the girls and an all-around great game”, said O’Malley.

“We have worked really hard and there is no doubt that this win was from our effort on defense”,

Basketball Ireland Intervarsity Results

Men’s A Final

UCD 69 (39)(D James 22, L McCrone 21, C Finn 10) NUI Galway 50 (22)(D Cunningham 14, J Loughrane 9, S Tummon  

Women’s A Final

UCD 61 (33)(S Woods 15, E Mairtin 13, A Donnelly 7) UCC 74 (38)(C Rockall 24, A McKenna 13, E Sherwood 12)

Men’s B Final

DBS 79 (35)(B Billbe 17, G Wong 16, E Chubb 15) Blanchardstown IT 50 (27)(E Rutherford 17, B De Lange 8, K Ogbomo  

Women’s B Final

DIT 52 (26)(J Black 20, L Delaney 8, C Flattery 6) NUIM 56 (23)(L Gray 23, G McGlade 15, K Banko 9)