The second week in January has historically meant National Cup semi-final week and this year is no different. Once again the club is lucky enough to have a team reach the semi-final stage of the Hula Hoops National Cup when our U20 Men’s team face Templeogue in Neptune Stadium Cork at 1pm on Sunday 12th January.

Looking to emulate their club mates who won the U20 National Cup in 2008 & again in 2015, the team are under no illusions as they face a quality Templeogue team who actually knocked them out of the U18 National Cup at the quarter-final stage 2 years ago.

Led by the SuperLeague quartet of Dara Kenna, James Lyons, James Connaire & Paul Kelly the team won’t be short of big game experience. Padraig Lenihan, Kevyn Burke, Tommy McNeela, James Cummins, Matthew Donnellan, Gerard Davoren, William Owyenson & Cormac Croke bring real strength and depth to the squad and this will hopefully help the team overcome what promises to be a tight and intense game.

Coach Gerald Lyons is really looking forward to the weekend and knows that a quality opponent awaits them in the semi; “Templeogue are capable of putting up big scores! A main task for us on Sunday will be to try and limit their scoring”.

Continuing he says “It’s obviously great to be involved at this stage of the competition, the team has worked hard and hopefully are ready for the challenge of a cup semi final. Semis are there to be win and the lads are eager to book a spot in the Cup Final Weekend.”

It was a tough decision for Gerald as he has a large, experienced and vastly talented group to pick from. The extended panel also features Fiachra Mulkerrins, Paul Culkeen, James Duggan, Martin O’Conghnaile, Iarlaith O’Sulliva, Daniel Arimoro, James Wall & Neil Kelly who were all extremely unlucky to miss out for the game.

The team have prepared well for the game and hopefully they can get the win and book a date in The National Basketball Arena in 2 weeks time for the Cup Final. Good luck lads from everyone in the club!!!

Categories: U-20 Men