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Cup winners eye more silverware

Wednesday, 06 February 2008

AFTER capturing the Superleague Cup with a brilliant win over basketball giants Abrakebabra Tigers, Dublin’s DART Killester will be hoping to make it a season to remember by maintaining their position at the top of the Northern Conference.
DART’s 82-76 victory over their Tralee rivals has propelled the reigning Superleague champions to even greater heights, as they now chase a unique league and cup double.
But with the Tigers also heading the Southern Conference, another clash of these two titans could yet be on the cards when the play-offs for the Superleague title come around.
In the meantime, Killester can live off the kudos of already winning some major silverware this year and their delight at beating the Tigers was obvious.
Killester’s Paddy Kelly, who was named the most valuable player in the Superleague Cup final after topping the scoring board with 19 points, described it as the toughest game his team have faced this year.
"It was fantastic,” said Kelly.

“They make you play very hard and they’re a tough team and physical, so we’re delighted to have won it.
"Tigers have been outstanding this season so to beat them, and in particular in a final, is something to savour.
“They fought back towards the end but our guys weren't going to let it slip today so we are delighted that the cup is coming back to DART,” Kelly added.
DART Killester were always in control and raced into an early lead with excellent baskets courtesy of Michael Bonaparte, while his counterpart Michael Goj’s three-pointer gave them a 13-4 lead midway through the first quarter.
The Tigers, led by talented Kerry Gaelic footballer Kieran Donaghy, finally got into their rhythm.
However, by that stage Killester had a commanding lead with some excellent offensive play from Bonaparte, John Behan and Arnuad Dahi, and finished the first quarter with a 29-19 lead.
The National Cup holders came out in the second quarter fighting to retain their trophy and outscored their opponents 17-9.
With less than ten seconds left on the clock, Tralee’s Greek player Paris Katsimpas' magnificent three-pointer cut his team’s deficit down to four points and they went into the interval trailing 35-31.
Donaghy then came to the fore with an outstanding three-pointer but Killester’s Goj responded with three successive baskets to hold onto their slender lead as both teams cancelled out each other’s scores.
With just over two minutes left on the clock in the third quarter, Tralee drew level before taking a 52-50 lead into the final quarter.
But Killester and Kelly stood up when it counted most and slowly clawed their way back into the game with excellent offensive play from Dahi and superb defensive play from Kelly.
The North Dublin team regained the lead midway through the quarter and never relinquished it as they battled right down to the wire to finally bring the cup back to the capital for the first time in seven years, much to the delight of their supporters.

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