University of Limerick

UL Mens and Womens Basketball secured their most memorable night in basketball history to date. On Friday February 3rd both UL teams claimed the Superleague National Cup Title.

In front of a sold out National Basketball Arena in Tallaght the UL women took the floor first against DCU Mercy and were in control from the start. The games was slow to start with both teams playing a very defensive game, however UL were first to score with a Louise Galvin score. UL continued to dominate throughout the game and it was a something of a foregone conclusion, with coach James Weldon’s UL side displaying too much focus for the eventual outcome to ever be in question. UL are undoubtedly the best side in the country, and this decisive 28th victory of an incredible unbeaten run saw them deservedly crowned National Cup champions for 2012, after a six year wait after a ruthlessly dethroning of reigning champions DCU Mercy with a score-line of 64-27.

UL 64 (23) (M Fahy 16, R Vanderwal 15, R Clancy 10) DCU Mercy 27 (13) (L Peat 10, S Maguire 6, S Woods 4) Most Valuable Player ; Michelle Fahy (UL)

Next was the turn of the UL Eagles who faced UCC Demons. An explosive opening saw the sides trade scores in quick succession. Robert Taylor embodied everything that was good about UL in the early stages. Quick-minded, decisive and athletic, the American helped his side to a 10-7 lead mid-way through the first quarter. Demons began the second quarter in superb style with some wonderful combinations stretching the lead out to six. However UL were fighting desperately to keep the Cork side within range. It was still anyone’s game at the half time interval, UCC Demons leading 39-34. UL’s Scott Kinevane got off to a flying start at the beginning of the third to reduce the deficit to three. Neil Campbell stepped up moments later to bring UL Eagles to within one. Taylor brought the sides level soon afterwards as UL’s charge gathered further momentum. Robert Taylor ran riot in the space of a minute to give Eagles a stirring four point lead. UL’s Matt Hall hit a superb shot on the buzzer to bring UL back to within two heading into the final quarter, 55-53. UL Eagles responded well with consecutive scores from Matt Hall and Scott Kinevane. Taylor gave UL the lead soon afterwards before Neil Campbell raised the roof with a superb three to give UL a three point lead with as many minutes remaining. It was a stirring final quarter from Eagles, who rounded off in style through Matt Hall to secure a memorable 72-65 winners after an epic contest and a 10 year battle to get a National Cup Title.

UL 72 (29) (R Taylor 29, N Campbell 12, M Hall 9) UCC Demons 65 (34) (S Atupem 16, S Coughlan 11, N Hosford 9) Most Valuable Player ; Robert Taylor (UL Eagles).