Boys Cup Finals 2014
April 4, 2014
Liffey Celtics Basketball Club underage boys teams followed the lead set by the girls, when they took part in the Dublin Mens Cup Finals weekend over March 21st and 22nd. It was a hard act to follow, but the boys proved they could do it and took home the U12, U13 and U14 cups, while the clubs U15s just lost out in the U15 final.
For Liffey Celtics, the cup weekend started on Saturday morning with the U12 boys playing Eanna. Both sides were evenly matched. The first and second quarters were close with both teams trading scores, and only one or two scores between them throughout. Celtics led at the end of the second quarter 25 points to 19. Both sides were a little nervous, and Eanna managed to pull it back to a two point game during the second half. Celtics showed some class in the last quarter with Conor Walsh netting some key scores. The Celtics U12s took the cup on a score line of 43 points to 37. Liffey Celtics U12 Boys :Ebube Obi Agha, Conor Walsh, Daniel Foley, Mark Furlong, Denis Ghiuzan, Sam O’Dwyer, Donal Curtin, Jack Hensey, Cian Tiernan, Michael O’Hora, Conor Hyland, Damanvir Singh Oberoi, Adam Hegarty, Aaron Yar, Mark Meekel.
Next up for Liffey Celtics was the U14 boys, this time taking on Templeogue. Templeogue were favourites coming into this game, leading the league and unbeaten during the season. It is always a good competitive game between these two teams and both served up a great and exciting U14 final. Liffey Celtics were out of the blocks really fast with inspirational point guard Chris Arcilla, taking the game to Templeogue and scoring an impressive 15 points in the first quarter. If Templeogue were shocked in the first quarter, they showed their mettle in the second quarter to make it a 21 all game at half time. The second half was basket for basket. With good scoring from Eoin Treacy, Jack Stafford and Jim Xi Johnson. Celtics got their noses in front and with one minute left on the clock Celtics were one point up, 48 points to 47. Some great team defence held out the Templeogue onslaught. Liffey Celtics U14 Boys : Eoin Treacy, Kris Arcilla, Calum Walsh, Tiernan Howe, Adam Moore, Jack Stafford, Brian Monaghan, Nedas Delys, Mubarak Akorede, Jim Xi Johnson, Jack Maguire and Cholo Anonuevo.
On Sunday March 22nd, Liffey Celtics opened proceedings with the u13 Boys final, taking on Tolka Rovers. Celtics had the better of the first quarter building up a lead, but Tolka Rovers pulled it back to an even and close game at half time. Tolka Rovers had the better of the third quarter, establishing a narrow lead, and it was beginning to look like it could be Tolka Rovers day. However the Celtics lads brought about a great fight back to win by a basket in a tense last few minutes. Great atmopshere and another cup for the boys. Liffey Celtics U13 Boys : Jack Maguire, Stephen Briggs, Cholo Anonuevo, Conor Hyland, Tiernan Howe, Conor Walsh, Philip Hanlon, Donal Curtin, Ryan Doyle, Conor Sparrow, Luke Duffy, Oisin Colins, Ben Kelly.
Next up was the U15 boys final, and this time it was Liffey Celtics versus Templeogue. For the Liffey Celtics team, this was a significant day and their first ever involvements at this stage of a competition, and they started very well. Both sides traded scores in an evenly fought first two quarters. Indeed it was only the last seconds of the second quarter that Templeogue established some day-light between the teams when they opened a five point gap. Templeogue were the dominant team in the second half, and went to a 76 points to 53 victory. Liffey Celtics U15 Boys : Eoin Treacy, Darragh Higgins, Stephen Saunders, Matthew McDonnell, Colm Sweeney, Eoin Crowley, Kris Arcilla, Oran Tully, Niall Bermingham, Calum Walsh, Adam Power, Renes Valenzuela.