The busiest weekend of the Irish basketball scene saw some of the most dramatic games of the season take place in the Mardyke over Friday and Saturday.
The cream of senior men and women’s teams came together to battle it for a place in the national finals at the end of this month in Tallaght, with fans left enthralled by two huge shocks.
Friday night saw men’s national champions UCC Demons beaten by Swords Thunder 103-82, in one of the biggest upsets for many years as the home crowd were stunned by the power of the Dublin outfit.
GCD Swords Thunder celebrate their 103-82 #HulaHoopsCup semi-final win over C&S UCC Demons https://t.co/uGvFwdKRIA
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) January 8, 2016
The shocks continued on Saturday as Templeogue beat Pyrobel Killester to secure a first ever spot in a men’s National Final.
Templeogue came back from being 11 points down to secure a dramatic 61-59 win.
What a game @templeogue_bc enjoy a nail biting win. Templeogue 61 Killester 59. They're in the cup final. pic.twitter.com/qXT98pl1zH
— DrMáireT (@MaireTNC) January 9, 2016
The women’s semi finals saw the eventual last four encounters setting up a repeat of the 2015 decider as Pyrobel Killester and Team Montenotte Hotel won their respective encounters.
The holders got the better of Meteors by 77-61 in their semi final in what was a tight contest despite the eventual 15 point winning margin.
Meteors led by 37-35 at the half time interval, but the Cork side showed all their experience, and pedigree as champions, thanks to an inspirational performance from Gráinne Dwyer.
Meteors were not able to make any impression in the Glanmore outfit’s lead in the final quarter despite a great effort from their young side.
Full time #HulaHoopsCup women's national cup: @GlanmireBBall 77-61 @meteorsbb pic.twitter.com/lr1i0QRG57
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) January 9, 2016
Killester also proved too strong for Maxol WIT Wildcats in a thrilling clash that eventually ended 72-65.
The half time break saw Killester retire to the dressing room leading 36-31 ahead before a brilliant scoring spell from the Wildcats saw them take the lead.
Killester fought their way back into the contest with the scoreboard operator being kept busy as both teams went all out attack.
But late scores from Jazmen Boone and Aisling Sullivan helped Killester to the win.
FT in Women's #HulaHoopsCup Semi-final: @KillesterBball 72-65 @WITWildcats pic.twitter.com/QTuirDijOE
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) January 9, 2016
