Following a Downtown Scoring Display from the National Cup Winning, Cork visitors,Titans overcame their bad start to triumph over UCC Blue Demons on Saturday night in Renmore. In a fantastic matchup between the the top 2 teams in the Southern conference, the Capacity crowd were treated to a battle of finesse and class from the Corkmen versus the Resiliance, guts and belief of the Titan league leaders. Such was the explosive start of the Demons, that it wasn’t until the second half that it became a close affair with the game going into overtime, where The M.O’F Titans prevailed, on a final scoreline of 79-76. Demons played without their starting point guard Kyle Hosford, while Titans were missing Glen Hynes, Conall MacMichael and Chris McNairney. However Demons had added Two top drawer European stars, Priou and Anon from the French and Spanish leagues making them a much stronger team than the one Titans had already defeated earlier in the season. The Titans starting 5 of Barile, Tongo, Fabriciuss, Peldzius and Sedebskis were cheered on by a capacity home crowd which included Titans and Sligo All Stars underage teams who had been playing earlier in the day. It was Demons who got out to the faster start punishing Titans turnovers and getting easy baskets in transition. After 8 minutes they had jumped out to a 25 – 15 lead. The one early bright spot for Titans was Paulius Peldzius who scored 10 of Titans first 15 points to keep them eithin touching distance. The second quarter saw Titans find thier rhythm. Defensively their intensity picked up and they managed to slow down Demons offence which had been scoring freely in the first quarter. Brendan Barile found his range from outside the three point line ( making six three pointers in all) while also scoring from some strong drives to the basket, putting the Titans right back into the game by half time, trailing by only 2 points 34-36. In the 3rd quarter Demons responded and did not let Titans get ahead. Brian O’Neill and Tim O’Halloran were causing problems for Titans as well as Stephen McCarthy. Titans found themselves still trailing going into the fourth quarter and not looking capable of a comeback. They did not give up however. Barile continued his strong offensive display and Tongo, Pedro, and Peldzius all scoring crucial baskets. A dunk from Taofik narrowed the gap further and Titans found themselves with the ball in the last 10 seconds with a chance to win. They failed to convert and the game went to OT. However, thehe momentum was with Titans at this stage. Defensively the smaller, the Titans team held their own on the boards and started forcing a tiring Demons team to turn the ball over as they edged into the lead. Some missed free throws allowed Demons to stay close but even the loss of Barile with 5 fouls couldn’t stop their momentum. With a 2 point lead and possession, Titans looked like they would close the game out but a turnover gave Demons one last chance. O’Neill missed a 3 which would have given Demons the lead with seconds left but it missed. Fabriciuss was able to score the last point of the game at the foul line. A Cork desperation 3pt attempt, missed on the buzzer and Titans moved 2 games clear at the top of the conference with this humongeous win. With two big games next weekend, including a historic homegame against their old rivals Castleisland. Titans can win the conference and ensure a home semi final in the playoffs.Go Titans!Matt o’Flaherty Chemist Titans 79(34) brehndan Barile 23;Paulius Pelzius 23;Andre Tongo 14;and Pedro Vasquez 8pts.
-Paul Freeman.