Portlaoise Under 18 men through to National Cup semi-finals

PORTLAOISE Panthers booked their spot in this season Men’s Under 18 National Cup semi-finals following an impressive 70-56 victory over Neptune in St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday afternoon.

The home side took all four quarters against their Cork opponents to set up a date with St. Brendan’s in the last four of the competition.

Both Portlaoise and Neptune finished with four players in double figures, Prince Iheme leading the way for the hosts with a game-high 22 points while his brother, Justice emerged with 17 to his name, with both Jayden Umeh and Desmond Ogedegbe combining for a further 24.

Deniss Brusevics was Neptune’s top scorer on 13, with Oisin Toibin and Seán Noonan weighing in with a further 11 apiece, but it was not enough to see them past Portlaoise who enjoyed a strong start to this game, racing 21-12 in front by the close of the first quarter.

Prince and Justice Iheme spearheaded that early surge, each putting up eight points, while Toibin did his best to keep Neptune in touch, carding nine in the first period that included a sublime effort from beyond the arc.

Buckets from Will Carmody, Noonan and Brusevics did help Neptune reduce their arrears to six almost midway through the second quarter, but Portlaoise kept their side of the scoreboard ticking over as Ogedegbe, Senan O’Brien and Jack Gilnagh all got in for scores to keep their side in control at 35-24 by the half-time break.

Neptune re-emerged on the front foot, accounting the opening five points of the third quarter, compliments of Tobin and Brusevics.

But Portlaoise responded with as many, and kept the visitors at bay thanks in no small part to some timely efforts from off the three-point line by Ogedegbe and Umeh.

Leading 52-40 heading into the final quarter, Portlaoise just needed to keep it steady, although Neptune worked hard to try and haul this game out of the fire, Sam Aluko and Kian O’Rourke draining shots from inside and off the arc respectively.

Panthers were, however, always able to summon up a reply, and pushed their lead out to 16 points with just under five minutes remaining.

Neptune, to their credit, refused to throw in the towel and picked up two quick buckets through Brusevics and Carmody, but it was Portlaoise who had the last word as Justice Iheme served up a late deuce.

Jack Scully’s side will now be turning their attention to the challenge of a St. Brendan’s team who had just five points to spare (91-86) in their respective quarter-final clash with Templeogue in Moyderwell Mercy Primary School on Saturday.

PORTLAOISE PANTHERS: Senan O’Brien, Justice Iheme, Scott Davis, Jim Hanamy, Jayden Umeh, Prince Iheme, Ben Quigley, Ciaran Daly, Desmond Ogedegbe, Jack Gilnagh.

Top Scorers: Prince Iheme (22), Justice Iheme (17), Jayden Umeh (13), Desmond Ogedegbe (11).

NEPTUNE: Deniss Brusevics, Kian O’Rourke, Sam Walsh, Oisin Toibin, Seán Noonan, Will Carmody, Oliver Ensko, Sam Aluko.

Top Scorers: Deniss Brusevics (13), Oisin Toibin (11), Seán Noonan (11), Will Carmody (10).