Demons Neptune Cup Semi Final Match up:
One of the biggest and oldest rivalries in Irish Basketball writes a new chapter as both cork teams meet in the cup semi-finals on Friday night. Both clubs dropped opted out of the Superleague (Neptune 2015/16 & Demons 2019/20) and re-entered the National leagues (Neptune 2017, Demons 2021) The Cork basketball board re-introduced the Cork championship game this season and Demons took the early season crown. However, Neptune took a win back in their league clash on December 18th with an overtime win! The Neptune Demons rivalry draws national interest beyond the typical basketball coverage and could be one of the best games of the season. The 2010 National Cup Semifinals featured fans behind the benches and added to an already electric atmosphere!
The continuation of the Golden era:
The match-up this year continues the legacy of the 80s &90s known as the golden era of Irish basketball with sons of previous stars competing against one another. James Beckom (Demons) son of Dave Beckom - one of the first American professionals for Demon faces off against Conor O’Sullivan (Neptune) - his Dad Tom is one of Ireland’s most decorated players with 8 league titles 5 National Cups with Neptune. Ger Heaphy’s sons Adam & Cian (Neptune) also continue on that legacy as Ger featured for Neptune and North Mon in a golden era and Ryan Leonard of Garvey's Tralee Warriors son of Ric Leonard!
(Photography credit Sportsfile)
The county breakdown:
An age-old debate… where is the capital of Irish basketball? In the case of 2024, the debate could swing to the rebel county, with 5 Superleague teams competing in their respective cup competitions. New clubs and nontraditional Basketball areas continue to flourish in their competitions highlighting the growth in the game. McEvoy Cavan Eagles entered the Women’s Division 1 league in 2022 and finished top of the Northern Conference. This year they feature in their first Division 1 National Cup Semi-final as they lost in the quarter-finals in 2022 on a buzzer-beater from Portlaoise Panthers. The Cavan club will also feature in the U18 Semi Final which is their first feature since 2017. The growth of the game in the North East also continues on the Men’s side with Dundalk Ravens U18 Men reaching their club's second-ever club semi-final. In 2020 they fell short to a talented Belfast Star squad featuring CJ Fulton and Darragh Ferguson. Ravens are coached by Elijah Faapito and Danny Ayoade who will suit up for Moy Tolka Rovers in the President’s Cup Semi-final on Saturday evening. Limerick Celtics build on strong underage teams and cup performances as their Women’s Division 1 team make their first semi-final appearance at this level. Check out the full breakdown at the bottom of the article!
New Signings:
Demons sign Elijah Tillman.
Head Coach Danny O’Mahony is reunited with Elijah Tillman as Demons swap out their big ahead of the Cork derby vs Neptune. The pair crossed paths during the 2018/19 season at Kubs in the National League. Tillman had 16 points in his first game vs Moycullen and at 6”7 looks to bring an inside presence on Friday night.
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors add Caleb Jordan.
Injury forced a change for the 2022 Champion Warriors as Johnny Williams returned home in December. Caleb Jordan arrived and put on a show with 20 points in their league game vs Ballincollig on December 18th. The Warriors will need a big performance again against Ballincollig, which could be the showdown of the weekend as Neptune is set to be packed by both clubs.
Jonathan Jean is back!!
One of the most exciting point guards in the 2022/23 Superleague season returns. Jean rejoined the South Dublin club in late December putting up 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. Jean is sure to cause nightmares for defenders in the National League and strengthen the UCD team as they attempt to win the National Cup and regain promotion to the Superleague. His continuity with the squad and Head Coach Ioannis Liapakis makes UCD favorites to take it all!
Malahide add Nino Hernandez
The dublin club bolster their squad with a second professional to team up with BB Chuks Mady. Malahide attempt to reach their first President’s Cup Final after falling short in the cup semi finals last season. Hernandez attended Bryant University for 1 season before transferring to NCAA Division 2 Le Moyne. Nino graduated in 2022 and played for CDP Domingo Paulino Santiago in the Dominican Republic. He attended the Winchendon School where current Malahide underage star Sean Fitzpatrick is playing as a post grad.
The Return:
The 2023/24 Superleague season has seen the return of Irish players from college and professional teams back to Ireland and predominantly their childhood clubs. The cup semi-final features many of these players including 7’2 Cian Sullivan Garvey’s Tralee Warriors following his college career in the US (La Salle, Hartford) and Spain. High-flying James Beckom made his turn to boyhood club UCC Demons after spending time in Italy (Lido Di Roma), and in the US (Bentonville HS, John Brown University NAIA). Ryan Leonard returns for Garvey’s Tralee Warriors where he was awarded Superleague Young Player of the Year in 2017. Ryan played college basketball in Florida, Chicago, and Texas before returning to Kerry in 2023. Ryan was named Men's Superleague December Player of the Month.
Niamh Dwyer, one of Ireland’s best female players of all time has returned to the Super League for Catalyst Fr. Matthews. Niamh who has won multiple cup titles with her sister Grainne at Glanmire, originally retired from playing after the 2018/19 season. However, jumped straight into coaching following her illustrious playing career. With her return to the court, she has been ably replaced by Pat Price who is regarded as one of the best coaches in the country. Niamh has 5 senior cup titles to her name and a combined 11 titles with sister Grainne. Niamh played in the US for NCAA Division 1 Monmouth College and professionally in Lithuania ( Teo Vilinus), Latvia (SK Cesis), and the UK (Barking Abbey with Grainne).
“Don't call it a comeback, I been here for years”
Family Ties:
Multiple Cup Semi-Finalists have siblings playing a key part in national cup success! Check out the list:
Catalyst Fr.Matthews
Niamh & Grainne Dwyer of Fr. Matthews combine for 11 senior cup titles. They teamed up in the UK playing professionally for Barking Abbey. Originally from Tipperary, the Dwyers assisted Glanmire to become a force in the Irish basketball leagues. The Murphy sisters Amy and Abby will also feature in the semi-final clash. The family ties continue throughout the cork side with Team manager Deirdre McCarthy and daughter Ciara reunited on the court this year, Ciara with experience at Glanmire & Carlow IT (now SETU), and Head Coach Pat Price and daughter Arianna also teaming up this season.
Gurranbraher Credit Union Brunell
Kelly & Rebecca Sexton have both featured for the Superleague side with similar games. Intense defence and long-range shooting. Rebecca will be a key part of the U20 team during their semi-final on Sunday morning. The Walshe sisters Ava and Katie also play their roles for the Cork side, who are currently top of the Superleague table. Ava will be a go-to player in the U18 and U20 semi-finals and is potentially looking at 3 cup finals!
UCC Demons
The Hannigan Twins, Scott and James who won underage cup titles with their Friday night opponents Neptune. The Twins moved in 2022 and have won an underage schools cup title with Demons teammate David Lehane. James was named Superleague Young Player of the Year after the 2022/23 season as he thrived in his role under head coach Danny O’Mahony.
McEvoy Cavan Eagles
The Tolan sisters are averaging a combined 40 points a game in the Women’s Division 1, however, their impact can be seen beyond the scoresheet providing strength on the boards and stretching the floor for one another on offence. Emma is the focal point of the U18 team who face the reigning champions Meteors on Saturday morning and is regarded as one of the best young players in the country! All 3 are Irish underage internationals and will be a key part of the Virginia club as they someday hope to enter the Superleague.
Pyrobell Killester:
The Courtney and Walsh sisters are key pieces of the Killester U20 Women’s team. With Sarah Courtney and Stacey Walsh on the superleague squad on Saturday afternoon they are looking to make it back-to-back Paudie O’Connor cup titles.
Abbey seals Dublin Lions:
Gillian and Ciara Wheeler are part of the reigning Division 1 Women’s champion Dublin Lions squad. The girls average 11 points a game combined I the National League and have been key parts of the Lions set up since joining last season. Ciara is also a talented footballer previously playing with the Kildare Senior Ladies team.
Irish Guide Dogs at MTU Ballincollig:
Adrian & Ciaran O’Sullivan. (And cousin Ronan) Adrian and Ciaran have both won cup titles with the formidable UCC Demons who dominated the Superleague during the 2010s. Ciaran continues his role as player-coach and has also won multiple President’s Cup titles with Ballincollig as Adrian gained professional experience in the UK, Germany, and Spain. Cousin Ronan also played with Reading Rockets and played 3x3 in Vietnam while coaching Saigon Heat to a VBA championship in 2022.
Mater Private Malahide
Sean and Cian Daly are Malahide homegrown and aspire to help the North County club to their first President’s Cup final! The brothers moved clubs to gain further experience at Templeogue, Kubs and Tolka (Sean), and Dublin Lions where Cian made the 2018 U18 Cup final falling short to Neptune. The brothers returned as Malahide entered the National League in 2021 (2020/2021 season canceled) Sean is head coach for the U19 Malahide boys team and won the A schools title in 2023.
Galway Titans U18
The Gbinigie brothers Declan and Nathan will team up in the U18 Semi-final vs Phoenix BC on Saturday Morning. Both have represented Ireland at U16 and U18 age groups and are players to watch this weekend and in the future!
Neptune
Cian and Adam Heaphy look to capitalise on underage success with boyhood club Neptune! The brothers have both won underage titles with the club as they dominated the National Cup competitions including a cup treble last January with their U18, U20, and Division 1 men’s teams in 2017. Neptune reached the final in 2022 in hopes of returning to the big dance as their clubs celebrate their 75th anniversary this season!
County Breakdown:
Dublin (13)
Killester U18 Women, NICC Women, Paudie O’Connor
Abbey Seals Dublin Lions Women’s Division 1
Mater Private Malahide Men’s Division 1
Oblate Dynamos Women’s Division 1
Moy Tolka Rovers Men’s Division 1
UCD Marian Men’s Division 1
Templeogue NICC Women
Dublin Raiders NICC Men
Éanna BC NICC Men
Joels Dublin Lions U18 Men
Meteors U18 Women
Cork (9)
Gurranbraher Credit Union Brunell U18, U20, Paudie O’Connor
Irish Guide Dogs at MTU Ballincollig U20 Men, Pat Duffy
Catalyst Fr. Matthews Paudie O’Connor
UCC Demons Pat Duffy
Neptune Pat Duffy
Rebel Wheelers IWA
Limerick (5)
Limerick Celtics U18, Women’s Division 1, U20 Men, IWA
Limerick Sport Eagles Presidents Cup
Kerry (3)
Tralee Magic - U18 girls
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors - Pat Duffy
St Brendan's - U20 Men
Cavan (2)
McEvoy's Cavan Eagles U18, Women’s Division 1
Galway (2)
Galway Titans U18, U20 Men
Down (1)
Phoenix BC U18 Men
Kilkenny (1)
South East Swifts
Kildare (1)
Flomax Liffey Celtics U20, Paudie O’Connor
Laois (1)
Portlaoise Panthers NICC Women
Louth (1)
Dundalk Ravens
Monaghan (1)
Carrick Cruisers NICC Men
Waterford (1)
Waterford Wildcats U20 Women
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