Ireland 81 Poland 84

Jay Larranaga's men again turned in another brave display at the National Arena but again for the third time in as many days, fate conspired against.

In the end, Poland required overtime to claim the silver medal with Marcin Stefanski making a crucial steal under his basket after Colin O'Reilly had attempted to drop in a shot from the outside  with two seconds to go in a gripping finale.

And Stefanski having been impeded then went up court to land one of two frees to put Ireland out of shooting range.

Poland who had a very vocal support behind them  looked to be running away with the game in the early stages  and with a three pointer from Zbigniew Bialek had put Poland up 21-9 up at the end of the first quarter

Ireland started the second quarter well, but Chris Bracey having missed two earlier attempts, made a three point basket at the third attempt as Ireland  started the second on a good footing.

And Ireland continued to eat away at the Polish lead with Jay Larannaga, Conor Grace,   O'Reilly and Donie McGrath all making successful  raids on their opponents basket to put just two points between the sides with three minutes to go in the half.

But Poland renewed their efforts with eventual game MVP Pawel Mroz making three inside baskets before home boy, Ian O' Boyle struck with a late basket to cut Poland's lead to seven at the break, 36-29. 

Ireland began the third quarter in confident style but although Bracey was to put two between the sides Poland were again able to find their second wind with a good spread of scoring seeing them up 66-51 heading into the last quarter.

Ireland again came out all guns blazing in the fourth with a three pointer from O'Reilly rejuvenating his team's fortunes.

Ireland would eventually lose Grace to a fifth foul with 1.15 to go but at that stage Ireland had Poland in their sights and following back to back baskets from O'Reilly, they then re-took the lead with six seconds to go when a superb three pointer by Ian O'Boyle put his team ahead.

But fate again dealt Ireland a cruel blow when Poland went with to the line with Marcin Stefanski  converting one of his free throws to send the game into over-time, full time score reading 73-73

Jason Killeen was to put Ireland in front for the only time in the quarter in the first score of the fifth period but  Poland's double act of Mroz and Wichniarz coupled with some steady free throw taking from  young star, Bartek Diduszko was to see Poland edge ahead once more.

Ireland 81* (73) (29) ( C O Reilly 22, D McGrath 18, G Grace 11) Poland 84 (73) (36) (L Wichniarz  22,  P Mroz 18  M Stefanski 13,  Z Bialek 12) 

 after overtime