LONGFORD FALCONS claimed an exciting 80-76 win over Clondalkin Lakers to book their place in the final of the Senior Cup at Greendale yesterday.

There was little separating the two teams early on with a score from the freethrow line from Micheal Coughlan tying things for Longford at the end of the first quarter.

The Falcons began to open up a lead early in the second with their American, Roudra Thomas, having a very influential game. But midway through the quarter, the Lakers came back with baskets from Suah Williams, Kihlon Golden and Marcus Wollo putting them two up.

Indeed, with the Falcons continually turned over the Lakers led by 42-40 at the interval. The Falcons, however, dominated proceedings after that with Micheal Coghlan landing back-to-back scores to put them four up.

With Sam Tamargo proving particularly effective from the free-throw line, Longford led 59-53 at the end of the third quarter.

Although Clondalkin countered with scores from their captain Tony McDonagh and Marcus Wollo, they were unable to contain Coughlan.

Two more baskets from the Tipperary man saw Longford pull further ahead and they were then able to close out the game with successful baskets from Tamargo and Coghlan. Clondalkin, however, had the chance to tie it near the end when Williams hit the rim of the basket and then Tamargo went to the line to convert one from two. But it was not to be their day.

Earlier, Shamrock Rovers booked their place in the men's Junior Cup final with an 80-65 win over Marian.

Rovers, going for a third consecutive title, were run close by their opponents in the earlier stages who were certainly not intimidated by their opponents.

Marian proved very effective on the inside and though seven points down, they established a run with five minutes to go in the first half.

The Hoops, however, managed to hold a 35-34 lead at the break but the reigning champions received something of a set back in the third quarter when influential centre Ciaran White was forced to take a temporary retirement with cramp. But teammate Scott Kinevane stepped up to the plate and in the final minute, baskets from Cullen and Kinevane saw the Hoops lead by nine.

John Young and Neil Baynes managed to close the gap prior to White's return with just over two minutes remaining on the clock.

White's return had a calming influence on the team with top scorer Scott Kinevane going to the line to shoot four from four in the closing stages.

The first game of the day saw Dart Killester defeat Meteors in the women's Junior cup semi-final.

Up by 20-11 after the first quarter, Killester never looked back with the very impressive Aisling Sullivan registering 25 points.