Éanna fall at the final hurdle

Éanna fell at the final hurdle in the InsureMyHouse.ie Men’s National Intermediate Cup after going down 81-62 at the National Basketball Arena on Sunday.

It caps a remarkable rise for the Monaghan club, whose team only started competing in the NICC last season and won it at the second time of asking, having been beaten semi-finalists last year.

There was little between the sides in the first quarter, Éanna ahead by the slenderest of margins, 22-21, at the end of it, Martin Provizors picking up seven points for the Dublin club.

Carrick Cruisers turned the game in their favour in the second quarter, game MVP Andrew O’Connor got into his stride, he scored seven of his sides eight points in the last three minutes of the quarter to help them to a 43-34 lead at half-time.

Carrick Cruisers continued to build a score in the third quarter, a layup from Provizors and Cruisers were 60-42 to the good with three minutes to go in the third.

Their lead would reach 20 points, 64-44, with Vitalijus Kaminskas’ basket with 90 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Éanna went on a much-needed five-point run to finish off the quarter, but still trailed 64-49.

Éanna got it to within 10 points with just under eight minutes to go when Adrian Galpo’s three from the left made it 66-56.

A six-point run for Carrick Cruisers thanks to a pair of Smigelskis baskets – either side of two O’Connor free throws – put further daylight between the sides.

Enrique Melini was doing his best to keep Éanna in it, his three-point jump shot followed – he’d finish with a game-high 23 points.

Carrick Cruisers weren’t going to be overhauled and with two minutes to go their fans chanted “MVP” at O’Connor as he lined up two free throws, he converted both to bring his game tally to 20 and back up their claims – Cruisers 78-60 to the good and heading for the title.