Notre Dame make history in nail-biter

It's hard to pinpoint what was most impressive about yesterday's winning display by Denny Notre Dame. A record fourth Sprite Cup in succession perhaps or a deciding play that ensured an explosive climax? And all this against a St Vincent's side which had some of the most memorable Irish performances ever witnessed at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.

What is a little easier to assess, however, is the role of player-coach Anthony Jenkins. The man from South Carolina has been crucial to all the home side's previous wins, and yesterday he was once again there when it mattered.

Trailing by four points with less than three minutes remaining, Notre Dame looked to Jenkins to provide direction. First, he pulled out a superb three-pointer, quickly followed by a three-point play which nobody could guard against. When Stephen McGuirk, who was nothing short of awesome all evening, then brought Vincent's level again with his fourth three-pointer, Notre Dame seemed to be heading for over-time.

As Brian Benjamin held the ball, Jenkins pointed to the clock, his first sign of desperation all evening. Into the last five seconds, Benjamin still held on, waiting for the last possible moment to snatch victory. Eric Blair grabbed it, snuck through for the two points, and the floorboards were suddenly shaking.

Vincent's started out fast and never let up. McGuirk, never more deserving of an MVP, was top scorer with 30 points, 12 of which came from three-pointers. They had edged in front with Brian Tonkovich's first free and held a 15-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. Dave Donnelly and McGuirk were, at times, scoring at will as Notre Dame took that bit longer to find their feet.

By the end of the half, however, it was all square again. Notre Dame had come from behind to keep it 40 points apiece, while Karl Donnelly, introduced in that period, made sure that Vincent's were the ones with the momentum as he produced a stunning set of three-pointers.

With no let up in pace, and perhaps some tiredness from their semi-final win over Waterford Crystal less than 24 hours earlier, Vincent's began to feel the heat. Blair and Benjamin came more into the game for Notre Dame, while Ciaran Dempsey, part of the junior team that had played just hours before, was outstanding with his succession of scores. Not unexpectedly, Notre Dame lead 54-49 at the end of that period.

Yet there was still plenty of basketball to be played. Tonkovich spurned Vincent's back in front going into the last five minutes, but what would cost them dearly from then on was the poor free-throwing of Ferdinand Williams. He ended on five points in total, ensuring that Notre Dame were never too far from finding the winning play.

Afterwards, Dempsey described it as the fastest game he could remember. "It was just end-to-end stuff," he said, "and so tough throughout." Blair himself was "speechless" about his role, his first cup win for Notre Dame but one couldn't help but feel sorry for Vincent's.

"We had to work so hard throughout," said McGuirk. "Our free throws probably let us down a bit, but there's nothing you can do about that on the day. The pressure was immense, and I think Notre Dame just had that professionalism to make the difference."

In the junior men's cup, Killester fought back from 22 points down midway through the first half to trail by just two points in the early stages of the final quarter. Inspired by the sharp-shooting Ciaran Dempsey and Mark Mullholland, however, Notre Dame eventually prevailed 78-61.

Denny Notre Dame: B Benjamin (13), T Wilson, C McEvilly, A Carrigan, E Blair (19), J O'Dwyer, T McDonagh (2), D Sealy, A Jenkins (15), D Kelly, C Dempsey (20), E Gallagher.

St Vincent's: M Keenan (3), J Kelleher, J Davoran, G Noone, D Donnelly (5), K Rooney, B Tonkovich (10), J Clancy, S McGuirk (30), K Donnelly (14), J McGuirk, F Williams (5).

Junior Men: Delta Notre Dame 78 (C Dempsey 33, M Mullholland 20, C McEvilly 14), Killester 61 (S Behan 35, C Tolan 11, M Westbrooks 10).