Excellent win for Tolka Rovers in their U20 National League debut!
A super Ethan Farrelly leads Tolka to a double-digit win over UCD Marian
Final Score: Tolka Rovers 76 - 61 UCD Marian
Half-time score: Tolka 37-38 UCD
Top Scorers: E.Farrelly 25, M.Kourouma 15, S.Badejo 13
Starting five: E.Faapito, E.Farrelly, M.Kourouma, S.Badejo, B.Curran
After a tough defeat to UCD at home in the Dublin League, the lads were excited to have the opportunity at revenge in the cup and began the game with high energy and intensity. Coaches Tom Kenny and Kevin Ashton decided to implement a tall lineup to start. This led to Tolka dominating the rebound battle early on in the game. Brian Curran, Sam Badejo and Moustapha Kourouma snatched rebound after rebound to prevent second chance opportunities for the home side. Tolka scored the ball well to begin the game with Kourouma splashing a wing 3, followed by a Badejo basket inside the paint. This led to Tolka jumping out to a 7-2 lead after Faapito hit a smooth pull-up off the dribble. However the home side refused to go away and shot the ball at a high percentage to keep themselves in the game. After a high energy first quarter the sides were level at 19 a piece.
The second quarter began in Tolka’s favour with captain Ale Biffi hitting a baseline jumper off the dribble. Kourouma continued to be a real bright spark for Tolka in the first half. He was aggressive offensively and showcased his ability to drive and finish around the basket. Faapito’s touch pass to Badejo for an easy layup electrified the away crowd. The score remained tight as the teams battled to pull away from each other. Tolka entered the half time break down one point.
To start the second half, some tactical defensive changes from Coach Tom Kenny saw Tolka’s zone defence cause real problems for the Marian players. All the nerves from the first half had vanished as Tolka began to relax into the game. In the quarter, Tolka were finally able to take a small lead thanks to Ethan Farrelly’s star performance. He impressed throughout the game showing the ability to score the ball from all three levels, finishing the game with a tally of 25 points. While Tolka had taken a lead, the game was far from over as we entered the final quarter of play.
Showing excellent composure and experience, Point Guard Elijah Faapito was able to get to control the game as he pinpointed passes with extreme accuracy around the floor. Tolka’s offence began to flow as the side showed their class and pulled away. Farrelly’s huge defensive play put a stamp on the game as he met UCD Marians’ centre at the rim for an emphatic block of a dunk attempt. The momentum of the game was well and truly in the Tolka’s favour as you could feel the defeat begin to creep in for Marian. Lorcan O’Brien hit a nice midrange jump shot after losing his defender with a slick pump fake, followed by Sam Badejo putting the finishing touches to the game with an exquisite pass to find a cutting Biffi for a finish underneath the basket.
Praise Ogunsakin impressed in his Tolka debut tonight. Provided great energy and defence! He should be a key addition to this strong u20 side. It was also great to see big man Brian Curran return to the lineup after being sidelined early in the season due to injury. It is exciting to see him out there again being such a dominant force on the game.
Spirits are high among the team as they take a short break from the national league schedule to play Ongar away in the Dublin league this Friday and Vincents (2) away in the Dublin Cup the following Tuesday. These games should prove to be a good task for the side as they lead into their National Cup round of 16 matchup with Kubs. The Dublin derby proves to be an exhilarating game as the team look to book their place in the quarter-Finals in Cork. The game will take place at Carroll Arena at 7:45 on Wednesday the 23rd of November. All Tolka support is greatly appreciated for this game, get down and support the lads!
