Basketball Round-upBallina's aspirations of becoming a Superleague team next year were strengthened at the weekend when they beat Killester to secure a place in the semi-finals of the National Cup.
With Keith Friel injured and Tony Atchison presently not eligible, the Dublin side were short-staffed but the single point (66-65) victory is still a massive achievement for the Mayo team.
The excitement levels were supremely high as it was a foul on John Larrimore, with six seconds remaining, which cost Killester their place at the finals weekend. Larrimore duly played the part of the hero by converting the two free throws.
There will be no northern Conference team joining Ballina in the last four as Limerick, who defeated the Killarney Lakers 78-74, Neptune and UCC Demons all progressed from their respective matches.
Neptune overcame Waterford 94-83, despite losing Stephen McCarthy to a calf injury six minutes into the game.
St Vincent's, who would have been a big draw to the National Basketball Arena next month, were outclassed, 83-65, by the UCC Demons in Cork.
In the only Superleague game over the weekend the southern conference bottom team Shamrock Rovers clinched a vital 97-82 victory against UCD Marian.
In the women's National Cup St Paul's, inspired by Diane Griffin, pulled off a 77-67 victory over Drimnagh Dynamos and will now meet Waterford Wildcats in the semi-final. Killester defeated Meteors 73-66 thanks to a 33-point contribution from Suzanne Maguire. Title-holders UL made hard work of Glanmire, but eventually won 73-63 thanks to Michelle Aspell's 13-points in the final quarter.
