National League

Dec 31 2022

Wins for University of Galway Maree, DBS Éanna, Trinity Meteors and DCU Mercy

University of Galway Maree and DBS Éanna improved to 9-2 records at the top of the InsureMyVan.ie Super League and both head their respective Conferences, after wins on Friday. Trinity Meteors continued their impressive run in the MissQuote.ie Super League, narrowly winning 63-57 at University of Galway Mystics.

University of Galway Maree were impressive 92-69 victors at Energywise Ireland Neptune, with Rodrigo Gomez top scoring on 24, followed by Jarett Haines (19) and Zvonimir Cutuk (18). Head coach Charlie Crowley was pleased to register another road success. “Obviously happy to get a win on the road, never easy. Neptune were obviously down bodies for different reasons, but we still had to perform to win, which we did. It’s a good start to the season so far. We’ve plenty to improve on, which is evident in our play at times, so we’ll continue to work on the physical and mental side of that until we get that right.”

UCC Demons are second in the South Conference, after defeating defending InsureMyVan.ie Super League champions Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 92-86. The home side had to trailed 70-66 at the end of the third, but outscored the Warriors 26-16 in the fourth.

Michael Randolph Jr. had another impressive display with 33 points, while Tala Fam Thiam registered 19 and Kingsley Nwagboso hit 15 and afterwards head coach Daniel O’Mahony highlighted the trio. “I’m very happy with how we played, it was a game of runs and Tala (Fam Thiam) Kingsley (Nwagboso) and Michael Randolph Jr, came big when we needed”, he stated.

De’Ondre Jackson had 28 points for Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, with Matija Jokic scoring 21 and Kieran Donaghy 14.

DBS Éanna overcame Belfast Star 75-67 to move three points clear at the top of the InsureMyVan.ie Super League North Conference, as the top two collided at Coláiste Éanna. Josh Wilson and Romonn Nelson scored 17 and 16 points respectively for DBS Éanna, but their victory came at a cost, with both Sean Jenkins and Scott Kinevane picking up injuries ahead of next week’s InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup semi-final with Emporium Cork Basketball.

Head coach Darren McGovern said: “The guys delivered a fantastic second half. We held Star to only 22 points, which was the catalyst for the win. Some massive 3’s finally dropped for us, which gave us the energy to get over the win, but we are now anxiously waiting on Sean (Jenkins) and Scott's (Kinevane) injuries report, which does not look good for us.”

Josh Wilson scored 17 points for DBS Éanna

Moycullen head coach John Cunningham expressed his delight after their “must-win” 55-38 success over UCD Marian. Grant Olssen led the charge for the home side, slotting 24 points at NUIG Kingfisher. UCD Marian struggled without their top scorer Jonathan Jean, who’s averaged 29.1 points per game, with Gael Hulsen topping their scoring on nine points.

“Delighted to get the win at a time of year, that can be tough to manage. We had targeted this as a ‘must win’ and that brings its own pressure, which I felt we managed well. Obviously tough for Ioannis (Liapakis) and the guys to have to play without Jonathan (Jean). They battled hard, but it’s hard to fill the scoring gap he leaves. We were in that situation earlier in the year when Grant (Olsson) missed a number of games. That said, I felt our defence was really good again and to limit any team to what we did is a sign of a good defensive structure. Offence will continue to be ‘work in progress’, but the guys are working hard and we’re getting better”, Cunningham said.

Griffith College Templeogue edged a thriller at Mercy Sligo, defeating EJ Sligo All-Stars 86-85. Luke Thompson’s jump shot with seven seconds remaining sealed the victory, to bring his personal tally to 23. Griffith College Templeogue head coach Mark Keenan stated: “Absolutely delighted to get the win against Sligo. The guys were absolutely brilliant and I couldn’t be happier for them.”

There are two fixtures in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League on Monday, Killester host Bright St. Vincent’s and Emporium Cork Basketball face Flexachem KCYMS.

Trinity Meteors made it nine wins in 10 league games, but were made to work hard for it against University of Galway Mystics, eventually outlasting Paul O’Brien’s side 63-57. Trinity Meteors trailed at the end of each of the opening three quarters, but outscored their opponents 25-15 in the final quarter, to give themselves victory.

Celena Taborn had 22 points, while Irish internationals Sarah Kenny (15), Dayna Finn (14) and Claire Melia (10) were again instrumental in their win.

Trinity Meteors head coach Niall Berry acknowledged the battle his side had been in afterwards. “A very tough game for us in Galway, they played with real confidence and we struggled to find any sort of rhythm throughout the game. I was pleased with how we rallied in the 4th quarter though and I was very pleased when Sarah (Kenny) hit a couple of big shots to give us momentum at a crucial point to get us over the line.

“All credit to Galway on this one for how they approached the game. We have some work to do this week to make sure we put in a better performance next week.”

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Trinity Meteors face DCU Mercy in the InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor National Cup semi-finals next week. DCU Mercy go into that contest on back of a win too, defeating Singleton SuperValu Brunell 80-58. Lindsey Abed and Tyra Johnson notched up 24 and 20 points respectively, to improve DCU Mercy’s record to 7-3.

Head coach Mark Ingle shared his thoughts afterwards. “Delighted to get the win against an understrength Brunell, but we needed the game after the Christmas break, as we were a bit rusty with our finishing. We are looking forward to a hard week of practice ahead of our (InsureMyHouse.ie) National Cup semi-final on Saturday."

Ireland captain Edel Thornton scored 24 points for Singleton SuperValu Brunell in their defeat.

Gráinne Dwyer and Shannon Brady scored 22 and 20 points respectively, as i3PT Fr. Mathews defeated Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics 72-66 in the only game on New Year’s Eve. Justice Coleman scored 15 points for Liffey Celtics, while Aine O’Connor had 14.

It was the fourth win of the season for Niamh Dwyer’s side.

"I'm delighted with the win. This was more about about grinding it out, than pretty basketball. Our offensive output slowed in the 4th quarter, but our defense held tight, which was very satisfying as a coach to see." - Niamh Dwyer, i3PT Fr. Mathews head coach

On Monday Killester host The Address UCC Glanmire and Ulster University take on Waterford Wildcats.

In MissQuote.ie Division 1 Marble City Hawks picked up their second win of the season, when they overcame Portlaoise Panthers 65-62. It was the second defeat in a row for Portlaoise Panthers, who’d began the season with a 8-0 run prior to this.

Tiana Stewart (18), Caleigh Raby (17) and Elaine Kennington (14) were Marble City Hawks’ leading scorers, while Jessica Fressle hit 20 for Portlaoise Panthers.

On Monday leaders McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles host Griffith College Templeogue, SETU Carlow take on Limerick Celtics and it’s a Dublin derby between Abbey Seals Dublin Lions and Swords Thunder.

Jonathan Garcia scored 34 points as Dwyer’s of Cork Fr. Mathews defeated Scotts Lakers SPK 114-71 in the InsureMyVan.ie Division 1. He was backed up by Diego O’Herlihy (18) and Brian O’Neill (17), as the Cork club moved to a 7-3 record.

There are three fixtures on New Year’s Day, league leaders Moy Tolka Rovers travel to Ulster University, SETU Carlow play SETU Waterford Vikings and Abbey Seals Dublin Lions host Portlaoise Panthers.

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Results

Friday, December 30^th

Energywise Ireland Neptune 69-92 University of Galway Maree

UCC Demons 92-86 Garvey’s Tralee Warriors

Moycullen 55-38 UCD Marian

Ej Sligo All-Stars 85-86 Griffith College Templeogue,

DBS Éanna 75-67 Belfast Star

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Fixtures

Monday, January 2^nd

1500|Killester v Bright St. Vincent’s, IWA Clontarf