Killester secure statement win, as Belfast Star remain unbeaten after Galway trip

Belfast Star stand alone as the only team with a perfect InsureMyVan.ie Super League record after one month, after Killester downed defending champions Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU 79-72 on the road in week four.

Adrian O’Sullivan had edged the home side in front with just over two minutes on the clock, but a 10-2 run to close the game ensured Killester head coach Jonny Grennell returned to the capital with a statement win. Gregorio Encarnacion, Kason Harrell and Paul Dick all making crucial contributions, Encarnacion putting emphasis on a 26-point double-double with an important three to set the run in motion. The win lifts Killester to second in the North Conference, two games back from leaders Belfast Star.

The InsureMyVan.ie Super League’s sole undefeated team took that record to Galway to face Maigh Cuilinn on Sunday, escaping with a 74-64 win thanks to a strong first half display. De Ondre Jackson and Tamyrik Fields shot 11/19 form the field in the first two quarters and despite a strong rally from Maigh Cuilinn after the interval, a pair of Conor Quinn daggers in the fourth ensured Belfast Star maintained their healthy position at the head of the standings.

In a weekend where cross conference matchups dominated, it was the South Conference who proved the stronger at this moment in time by going 5-2 overall.

Maree BC and Garvey’s Tralee Warriors had the most emphatic wins. Charlie Crowley’s men had far too much for EJ Sligo All-Stars in a 92-70 victory, while Daniel Jokubaitis and Rapolas Buivydas sparkled in Warriors’ 96-70 win against Bright St. Vincent’s. The results move both to 3-1 for the season and into a three-way tie at the top of the South Conference early in the campaign. 

There was late drama in Coláiste Éanna as a Kyle Hosford buzzer beater gave UCC Demons an 81-79 win over Griffith College Éanna to move to 2-1. Matthew McClain thought he’d earned overtime for the home side, holding his nerve from the free-throw line with only seven seconds on the clock. That was until Hosford drove the ensuing inbound play the length of the court, shooting a jumper from the paint for the win to the dismay of the Éanna faithful. 

Earlier on Saturday Energywise Neptune Ireland increased the pressure on their local rivals, picking up a 95-88 victory against Ulster University at Neptune Stadium on the back of a 26-point display from the in-form Chrison Briggs. Conor Liston was superb once more in defeat for the Jordanstown outfit, hitting 32-points in defeat.

Head Coach, Colin O’Reilly was happy with the win, “Another positive step by the group to gain a valuable win. There were two 5-minute periods in the game where Ulster dominated and showed their quaility which gave the team a great challenge to see if players would sacrifice for each other. Over the other 30 minutes we outscored them 89 to 54 which shows the potential that is in the group if everything physically, tactically and emotionally can be connected at once.”

The result leaves five of seven South Conference teams with a positive record through four weeks.  

Flexachem KCYMS pulled off the upset of the weekend, holding on for a 73-70 success against Templeogue at the National Basketball Arena despite scoring just six points in the last quarter. Three Liam Cooke shots from beyond the arc in the third proved the difference as Michael McGinn picked up his first win as head coach to move to 1-3 on the season. Templeogue will rue a sluggish return from the half-time break in which the only managed 8 points. They sit in 6^th position in the North Conference, also with a 1-3 record.