University of Galway Maree 74

DBS Eanna 69

JARETT HAINES WAS the undisputed MVP as University of Galway Maree were crowned National Cup champions for the first time in Saturday night’s final in Tallaght.

Haines delivered a performance worthy of the occasion with 35 points as Maree — coached by 25-year-old Charlie Crowley — ran out five-point winners against DBS Eanna at a sold-out National Basketball Arena.

“I’m a man with a lot of words a lot of the time, but I am speechless,” Crowley said afterwards.

“It was just unbelievable. It takes you back to all the times you were thinking, is this worth it?”

Maree got off to the better start but an early 9-0 lead had been virtually whittled away by the end of the first quarter, the Galway side leading just 21-20, before Eanna flipped the script in the second to take a 34-32 lead into the break.

Eanna’s lead had stretched out to eight points early in the third quarter, 44-36, before Maree — appearing in their first-ever final — found their range and played their way back into the contest.

With Haines leading the way, Maree edged back into a narrow 50-48 lead at the end of the third before the American’s fourth-quarter masterclass decisively tilted matters in their favour and ensured that the Pat Duffy Cup would be heading out west.

“I worked so hard for this for years, even before I came to Ireland,” Haines said.

“My team mates and my coaches are everything to me, along with the whole community of Maree. I don’t have the words, it’s just amazing.”

Comhghaideas @UGMareeBball !🎉 #BINationalCup @BballIrl pic.twitter.com/evsHc5mIGO

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 21, 2023