Éanna dig deep to book a final place
“THERE’S one thing that Éanna don’t do – we don’t do anything easy”, said a relieved Eanna head coach Darren McGovern after his sides dramatic 77-71 victory over Emporium Cork Basketball in a thriller at a packed Neptune Stadium at the weekend.
The Ballyroan side reached their second InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy Cup final in three seasons and will play University of Galway Maree in the final in two weeks’ time at the National Basketball Arena.
DBS Éanna made a super start to the game, racing to an early 22-11 lead by the end of the first, Kristijan Andabaka hitting eight points during it.
Emporium Cork Basketball began the second quarter brightly, Keelan Cairns’ three and Jose Jimenez Gonzalez’ layup and free throw, followed by another long-range three from the hot-handed Cairns reduced the deficit to 24-21.
John Dawson, who has been so influential for Emporium Cork Basketball this season, didn’t get his first basket until nearly midway through the second quarter, to make it a two-point game, 25-23.
Mark Reynolds, who excelled all game, responded with four points.
DBS Éanna beat Emporium Cork Basketball to reach the final
The game was end-to-end after that, with both sides contributing to an exciting finish to the quarter. Emporium Cork Basketball completed the turnaround with a Dawson free throw in the final seconds, to nudge them in front for the first time in the game, 32-31.
Dawson began the third quarter with three three-point jump shots and a dunk, it was 43-33 with a little over two minutes gone and it looked like the momentum was with Emporium Cork Basketball.
A lovely shot fake from Cairns opened up the opportunity for a two-point jump shot, handing Ciarán O’Sullivan’s side a 49-37 lead midway through the quarter.
A seven-point run from DBS Éanna followed, it was started by Romonn Nelson, then Steven Desncia landed a three pointer and ending with a Nelson layup, to reduce the deficit to 51-47, which sparked a timeout call from Emporium Cork Basketball.
Jose Jimenez Gonzales hit a three straight after that timeout for Emporium Cork Basketball, but DBS Éanna picked up six point in the closing stages of the quarter to make it a one-point game, 54-53 to Emporium Cork Basketball.
The fourth quarter began with a Nelson three, to put DBS Éanna back in front, 56-54, but the lead exchanged hands multiple times.
DBS Éanna took a hold of the game late on, a brilliant corner three from Neil Lynch with the shotclock running out had DBS Éanna 71-63 up with 2’03 left.
It sparked wild celebrations from the Éanna bench, while Emporium Cork Basketball called for a timeout.
The closing stages were scrappy as Emporium Cork Basketball tried to claw themselves back into it, but couldn’t do so.
DBS Éanna head coach Darren McGovern said: “As you can see we didn’t close that game out at all.
“We were in a really good position and credit to Ballincollig and especially their Spanish player Pau (Cami Galera) he was incredible, he just put it to us as much as possible.
“But we’re thrilled, it’s a win, it’s a huge win, it puts us in the final, we’re thrilled, there’s nothing else we can say, other than it’s one more step, we have to be there and be ready for that.”
