Cork’s Rebel Wheelers continued their dominance of Irish wheelchair basketball last Friday night, claiming a seventh consecutive Irish Wheelchair Association National Cup with a hard-fought victory over South East Swifts at the National Basketball Arena.
In front of a lively crowd in Tallaght, the final lived up to expectations, delivering a high-quality contest between two sides who have now met in consecutive National Cup deciders. While the Swifts pushed the champions all the way, the experience and composure of the Wheelers once again proved decisive.
Conor Coughlan was the standout performer on the night, producing a superb all-round display to finish with 21 points and earn Most Valuable Player honours. Although his shooting took time to settle, Coughlan grew into the contest and played a pivotal role during key moments, particularly in the second and third quarters when the Wheelers began to assert control.
The opening exchanges were evenly matched, with Dylan McCarthy getting Cork off the mark before Patrick O’Neill responded for the Swifts. Both teams showed physicality and intent early on, trading baskets as neither side was able to build a clear advantage. Scores from Jack Quinn and Adam Drummond helped the Wheelers edge ahead, but South East Swifts remained firmly in touch at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter proved crucial. Capitalising on turnovers and increasing their defensive pressure, the Wheelers began to find greater fluency in attack. Coughlan produced a moment of individual brilliance with a score and bonus, while contributions from across the squad ensured Cork carried momentum into the latter stages of the half.
Despite determined resistance from the Swifts, including strong efforts from James Mangan and Joseph Hargow, late scores for the Wheelers opened up a gap, sending the champions into the interval with a 28–21 lead.
South East Swifts showed real character after the restart, cutting the deficit through scores from Hargow, Mangan and Tom Buckley. Each time they threatened to swing the momentum, however, the Wheelers responded. Coughlan found his rhythm from the floor, while McCarthy continued to be a reliable presence in the post.
Entering the final quarter with a ten-point cushion, the Wheelers demonstrated the control and confidence that has defined their recent success. Baskets from Darragh O’Regan and McCarthy helped keep the Swifts at arm’s length, before Cork closed out the contest to secure another National Cup title.
The victory also highlighted the strength of the player pathway within Irish wheelchair basketball. Six members of the Rebel Wheelers squad were part of Team Ireland at the European Para Youth Games (EPYG) in Turkey last summer.
For South East Swifts, based between Carlow and Kilkenny, the final marked another significant milestone. This was the club’s second appearance in the National Cup final in three seasons, following a narrow defeat to the Wheelers in 2024, and further evidence of their growing presence at the top level of the sport.
Top scorers – Rebel Wheelers:
Conor Coughlan 21, Dylan McCarthy 14, Adam Drummond 10
Top scorers – South East Swifts:
Tom Buckley 12, James Mangan 12, Joseph Hargow 11
Referees: Canice Kelly (Kilkenny), John O’Connor (Portarlington), Nico Kvula (Westmeath)
