Templeogue U18 Men were drawn in Pool 1 of the National Cup Qualifiers which meant a trip to the famous Neptune Stadium in Cork this past weekend.
First up on Saturday morning was Dublin rivals Killester. TBC started the game off quickly racing into an early lead and never looked back, winning each quarter comfortably enough, and the game 70-36. Next up was Moycullen from Galway. The first quarter was a tight affair and finished 22-19 to TBC. The lads got down to work early in the second quarter and built up a nice lead of 19 points midway through and were well on top by the break. It was a similar story in the second half with all players getting good minutes and getting on the scoresheet to run out winners 86-51. This meant TBC topped their pool and would play Drogheda Bullets in Sunday mornings semifinal.
The first quarter of the semifinal was well contested by Drogheda who led for most if it before been pegged back at the end to leave the scores tied 17-17. TBC got their game going early in the second quarter to take a 13 point lead into the break and pushed on to win 77-50. This guaranteed a spot in the Hula Hoops National Cup Quarterfinals. The last game of the day v hosts Neptune would be played to decide who would get home and away draws at the quarterfinal stage.
The Pool 1 Final tipped off at 2pm. At this age group TBC have never beaten Neptune who are without doubt the strongest team at this level, and favourites for this year’s Cup having won it last year with a lot of the same players. But earlier this year in The Billy Kelly Tournament these two teams fought out 2 great games with Neptune coming out on top in both by 1 and 4 points respectively. There was great anticipation coming into this game.
TBC went into an early 5-3 lead but Neptune really turned on the style and went on a 21-0 run, partly down to their excellent play and partly due to sluggishness on TBC’s part who never got going in the early stages. Mid-way through the first quarter TBC finally stopped the Neptune onslaught and pulled them back into contention to only trail by 12 heading into the second quarter. There was some fantastic play from both sides throughout but in all reality that early barrage of baskets by Neptune gave TBC too much to do. Both sides played some great basketball at both ends of the floor and kept he crowd entertained throughout. Neptune came out worthy winners by 100-85 and secured a home quarter final tie v Tralee Imperials with TBC facing a more difficult task of having to travel to Killorglin in early December. The lads will be well up for it, determined to get another crack at Neptune in the National Cup Final at the end of January. However they have 2 tough hurdles to clear first to get that far and have plenty of work to do. A very encouraging and enjoyable weekend with first part of the mission accomplished.