LYIT DONEGAL coach Niall McDermott says that there is real excitement as his team prepare to face Tradehouse Central Ballincollig in a Hula Hoops Men’s President’s Cup semi-final tomorrow (12 noon).
It is a first ever semi-final for LYIY Donegal, who are having a fine season to date.
Tomorrow’s opponents at the Parochial Hall in Cork are on home territory, but LYIT Donegal – who made the long trip today – are hopeful after a 84-73 win on the road against Fr Mathews last weekend.
“We ran them very close in Cork in the league losing by three points and we will take confidence from that going into tomorrow,” McDermott told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“We are really excited to reach our first ever all Ireland National Cup semi-final.
“This is our fourth year in the league and the season we targeted to start challenging at top half of the table so we’ve been delighted with the progress so far.
In saying that we are under no illusion of the size of the task at hand. Ballincollig are going for their third cup in a row, something that’s never been accomplished before, and are undefeated this season.”
While Mark Cannon, the LYIT Donegal, is an injury doubt after training yesterday, McDermott was energised last weekend with the display of 16-year-old Killian Gribben, who hit 16 points against Fr Mathews.
McDermott said: “Killian made his national league debut last week scoring 16 points and is a current member of the Irish u18 panel.”
You can watch tomorrow’s game LIVE from 12 noon here …
