Templeogue have won the men's and u18s Hula Hoops National Cup double!
The men's side emerged dramatic winners over UCD Marian, 68-62, after a pulsating - if low-scoring - final. Lorcan Murphy was the star, winning the MVP and scoring the vital basket that put Templeogue three points ahead with 47 seconds left. However, it was what happened in the seconds afterwards that will grab the headlines.
After thwarting another attack, UCD Marian looked to drive up the court, only for their coach, Ioannis Liapakis, to be called for a technical foul. Liapakis was ajudged to have encroached on the court while issuing instructions to his players. A relieved Templeogue nailed their free throws and dominated possession for the remainder of the game, leaving UCD wondering what might have been.
Speaking after the game, TG4's analyst, Kieran Donaghy felt the call was harsh, saying:
Being three points down with a few seconds to go, the refs have to know the stage of the game and what is happening. If he's giving out to the refs, call a technical but when he's trying to get a message to his team it's very unfortunate and I feel for him.
Of course there's no guarantee UCD would have equalised anyhow and having led from the front Templeogue will be delighted to have capped off yet another magical day for the club, with Murphy, in particular, the stand-out star.
LORCAN MURRRRRRPHY!!!! Once more putting @templeogue_bc up 3 with just 47 seconds to go! 62-65 #HulaHoopCup @UCDMarian pic.twitter.com/P5Ex7eB80B
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) January 27, 2018
Meanwhile, earlier in the day Ballincollig beat Keane's Supervalu Killorglin in the Hula Hoops President's Cup Final 69-64. It was an emotional win for Ballincollig as they celebrated their first title win over Killorglin, who were the favourites.
American Cameron Clark scored eleven points in the final quarter and 29 points overall as the Cork side edged out a victory.
27 January 2018; Cameron Clark of Ballincollig during the Hula Hoops President’s Cup Final match between Ballincollig and Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin.
27 January 2018; Ballincollig players celebrate with the cup after the Hula Hoops President’s Cup Final match between Ballincollig and Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin.
Templeogue beat Neptune 69-72 in the Hula Hoops Under 18 Men’s National Cup Final with Templeogue's Kris Arcilla named MVP.
27 January 2018; Kris Arcilla of Templeogue is presented with the MVP by Basketball Ireland General Secretary Bernard O'Byrne after the Hula Hoops Under 18 Men’s National Cup Final match between Neptune and Templeogue at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
27 January 2018; Templeogue players celebrate with the cup after the Hula Hoops Under 18 Men’s National Cup Final match between Neptune and Templeogue at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Earlier on in the day DCU Mercy beat Glanmire 74-42 to win the Hula Hoops Under 18 Men’s National Cup Final with O Seaghdha and Cassidy from DCU scoring 18 points a piece.
DCU Mercy team celebrate with the cup after the Hula Hoops Under 18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Glanmire and DCU Mercy at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin.
27 January 2018; Meadhbh McCarthy of Glanmire in action against Bronagh Power-Cassidy of DCU Mercy during the Hula Hoops Under 18 Women’s National Cup Final match between Glanmire and DCU Mercy at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin.
In the Hula Hoops NICC Men’s National Cup Final, Blue Demons and BC Leixlip Zalgiris played out an 82-60 scoreline in favour of new champions Blue Demons.
27 January 2018; Stuart Rodgers of Blue Demons lifting the cup after the Hula Hoops NICC Men’s National Cup Final match between Blue Demons and BC Leixlip Zalgiris at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin.
27 January 2018; Blue Demons captain Stuart Rodgers lifts the cup after the Hula Hoops NICC Men’s National Cup Final match between Blue Demons and BC Leixlip Zalgiris at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
DCU Mercy beat Brunell 73-54 in the Hula Hoops Under 20 Women’s National Cup Final.
26 January 2018; The DCU Mercy team, led by captain Aoife Maguire, celebrate with the cup after the Hula Hoops Under 20 Women’s National Cup Final match between Brunell and DCU Mercy at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin.
26 January 2018; Rachel Huijsdens of DCU Mercy in action against Andrea Moynihan of Brunell during the Hula Hoops Under 20 Women’s National Cup Final match between Brunell and DCU Mercy at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
And finally, in the Hula Hoops IWA Wheelchair Basketball Final between Killester WBC v Ballybrack WBC, Ballybrack emerged the victors in a tight 62-58 game.
26 January 2018; The Ballybrack WBC team celebrate with the cup after the Hula Hoops IWA Wheelchair Basketball Final match between Killester WBC and Ballybrack WBC at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin.
26 January 2018; Jonathan Hayes and Jason Ryan of Ballybrack Bulls WBC celebrate after the Hula Hoops IWA Wheelchair Basketball Final match between Killester WBC and Ballybrack WBC at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin.
