Playing a team three weeks in a row is something no team relishes. So it was the third week of Templeogue BC v UCC Demons, and we were back on home turf in Oblate Hall. TBC started where they had left off the previous week in Cork, with a Lorcan Murphy steal and subsequent trademark dunk. Whoever said “white men can’t jump” hasn’t seen our Lorcan!
The first quarter was sluggish however, we held a ten point lead in what was to be a commanding first half. Big Man Jason Killeen, was on form, even hitting 3 pointer or so we thought. Unfortunately the referees deemed it to be a mere 2 points as his big toe was on the line. However, Jason made sure of the second one, and knocked down a third one just for good measure. Ronan McLoughlin came in to give Baolach Morrison a well deserved break, and alongside Alan O’Neil and Puff Summers, who scored a fantastic 3 pointer of his own, worked hard on defence and executed some excellent plays to stretch the lead out to 12 points at the break. The halftime score 45-33.
UCC Demons are known for their fighting spirit and were always going to come back strong in the second half, but they didn’t allow for the Boney factor as Mike Bonaparte made some impressive buckets, equally impressive was Lorcan’s assist game adding another tool to his armour. Captain Stephen James was again stalworth in defence, much to the annoyance of the Demons players. Neil Randolph came off the bench, to add a quiet 15 points including a trade mark 3 pointer to cancel out Roy Downeys bucket at a turning point in the match. With 8 mins remaining the gap was down to 8 however, Jason, Stephen and Mike scored from the line, along with a super drive from Neil, to make the final score 81-70 to Templeogue.
What at times was a scrappy game, resulted in a history making win for Templeogue… UCC Demons had not lost 3 games in a row since the 1960’s. So onward and upward for Mark’s men, as they travel away to Belfast Star next weekend to hopefully maintain their winning ways.
A huge thank you to all the supporters who came out on Sunday, as always you were fantastic.
Neil Randolph helped turn the game with a trademark dunk, while Jason Killeen scored an impressive 27 points and 17 rebounds.
Game photos courtesy of Rolf Stenberg of Rock Mountain Studios. All images rights reserved.
Templeogue Men’s Super League team are sponsored by Black Amber, Quillsen Estate Agents and Proteam Basketball.
