Change isn’t something that is usually the done thing before pivotal championship games. Yet Demons have broke that rule by signing Elijah Tillman. The 6”7 American was reunited with head coach Danny O’Mahony as the pair worked together at Kubs during the 2018-19 seasons who competed in the National League. Tillman had 16 points in his opening game vs Moycullen on December 29th as he stepped up to the Superleague. Neptune are no different this season with a change in head coach and three changes in professionals since the beginning of the season as for the first time in over two decades the countries top men’s league are permitted two American players on the court at one time.
Cup games are traditionally decided by Irish players and both teams bolster strong Irish players with many Irish senior internationals including former Irish Senior Men’s captain Kyle Hosford, however Neptune have three of their own representatives with point guard Conor O’Sullivan, Jordan Blount and the highflying Cian Heaphy. The teams came into this game 1-1 on the season against one another. Demons took an early win in the Cork Basketball board championship game while Neptune stole an overtime win with a 20 point comeback on December 18th.
James Hannigan opened the scoring at what was described over the PA as “The hottest ticket in town” and was the first player to hit double figures in the game with 10 points in the opening seven minutes of the game. The 2022/23 Superleague Young Player of the Year proved his value early in this Cork derby however three pointers from Conor Sullivan and Jordan Blount kept the home team ahead by four points ahead at the end of the first quarter.
Blount continued to assert his dominance in the opening minutes of the second quarter with an impressive spin move the basket and two three pointers. Demons switched to a man to man defence as they hoped to eliminate the long range shooting that dominated the first half of this semi final. However this proved to no avail as Neptune converted 40% from beyond the arc in comparison to Demons 17% and was the difference maker in the second quarter.
SEE ALSO: Neptune Stadium: The Arena Which Transformed Irish Basketball
5 January 2024; James Beckham of UCC Demons in action against Jordan Blount of Neptune during the Basketball Ireland Pat Duffy National Cup semi-final match between Energywise Ireland Neptune and UCC Demons at Neptune Stadium in Cork. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Teenage mixtape sensation Seventh Woods displayed his athletic ability as he denied a full court fast break from Derek Murphy. This did not deter the Neptune crowd as a two handed slam from Cian Heaphy brought the arena to their feet as Demons trailed by ten points. Jordan Blount led the game at halftime with 18 points and 9 rebounds as the halftime score read in Neptune’s favour 51-39.
Demons began the third quarter a new outfit compared to their first half performance as they found success in driving to the basket and presence inside with some big finished from Tala Fam Thiam and Elijah Tillman. A three from Kyle Hosford and put back from cut the deficit to eight points in the opening three minutes. Neptune’s energy depleted in the third quarter as the Demons crowd came to life and became the sixth man willing their side to victory. The lead swung in Demons favour by one point as the Demons bench jumped to their feet as Jordan Blount picked up his third foul and was forced to the bench with two minutes left in the quarter. Neptune’s errors continued to mount on the defensive end with a uncontested layup from David Lehane to extend their lead to five points. However Cian Heaphy’s resilience paid off with an athletic layup to keep the contest within four points.
The fourth quarter proved free flowing as both teams continued to attack the basket and the crowd willing their beloved clubs to the big dance in Tallaght. Demons captain Kyle Hosford fouled out of the contest with just under six minutes remaining in the game with a tally of seven points and six rebounds. Heart and grit took over in the dying minutes with Neptune training by four points, both teams began to move away from their game plans. David Lehan’e strong drive extended the lead to five points with four minutes remaining. However a hustle play by Conor O’Sullivan led to an open Roy Downey three pointer as the Neptune crowd erupted. A timeout allowed for readjustments to be made as Cian Heaphy and Jordan Blount were forced to the bench temporarily with injury. Three pointers from James Hannigan and Roy Downey kept the contest to only two points. A high attempt from Andrew Gardner over Thiam tied the game 87 a piece with 28.3 seconds left. A timeout from Demons allowed head coach Danny O’Mahony to draw up a play in an attempt to take the victory however a shot from Tillman fell short and the game went to overtime! A repeat of the December 18th league game.
Overtime began with a floating shot at the baseline from Woods, who helped force an offensive error from his opponents. A between-the-legs dribble combo finished off by a mid-range jump shot extended Demons lead to 6 with 2:18 remaining as the American guard took over the game. A offensive rebound by James Beckom was converted into a layup however a well-needed three pointer by Blount kept the difference at four points. Woods continued to shine an individual tally of six points in the overtime period as Jordan Blount fouled out with 1:32 remaining.
A three point play converted by Tillman was the icing on the cake as Demons took a seven point lead to finish the game 100-93.
Top Performers
- Seventh Woods 25 points 8 rebounds
- Elijah Tillman 24 points 11 rebounds
- Jordan Blount 23 points 15 rebounds
- James Hannigan 17 points
