National League

Nov 19 2023

Saturday Roundup - FloMAX Liffey Celtics extend unbeaten run while Maree keep the heat on leaders Belfast Star

FloMAX Liffey Celtics weathered a fierce challenge from Catalyst Fr. Mathews, winning 84-75, to preserve their unbeaten start to this season’s MissQuote.ie Super League. In the InsureMyVan.ie Super League, North Conference leaders Belfast Star also remain unbeaten, following a 95-66 win over Templeogue, while Maree prevailed 83-69 against Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU, to move top of the South Conference,.

MissQuote.ie Super League

Karl Kilbride’s FloMAX Liffey Celtics were made scrap tooth and nail for Saturday’s 84-75 point triumph over Catalyst Fr. Mathews in Leixlip, as they coughed up an 18-point advantage to trail by three at the break with Niamh Dwyer, Aisha Kaid and Ariel Johnson all finding the net from beyond the arc for the visitors.

Yet, thanks in no small measure to some superb inside work by Alexandra Navarette, who emerged the game’s top scorer on 26 points, together with timely three-pointers from Kate O’Flaherty (23) and Sorcha Tiernan (18), the hosts steadied the ship to secure the victory and, with it, the outright lead in the top ranks.

“That was tough” admitted Kilbride. “We went up big in the first quarter and probably got a little bit comfortable and they really made us pay for it."

- Karl Kilbride, FloMAX Liffey Celtics Head Coach

“We went down eight in the second half and that’s probably the first time we’ve been down like that all season, so I was delighted that we had the character and resilience to come back, because last year, we would probably have folded in that game”, Kilbride added.

At the other end of the MissQuote.ie Super League table, University of Galway Mystics hit the afterburners in the closing quarter to turn an eight-point deficit into a 75-61 victory over Portlaoise Panthers.

Shannon Cunningham hit 13 points down the stretch to take her match tally to 20, while team mate, Emma Glavin (21) went one better, as Galway finally carded their first league win in seven attempts this season to draw level on points with Portlaoise Panthers.

A huge first-quarter performance, in which they outscored Ulster University by 22, laid the foundation for Pyrobel Killester’s 94-71 point victory, that saw them draw level with second placed, Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell on 18 points.

Two more MissQuote.ie Super League fixtures are down for decision on Sunday, as DCU Mercy welcome SETU Waterford Wildcats to Dublin and defending champions, The Address UCC Glanmire, play host to Trinity Meteors at the Mardyke Arena.

InsureMyVan.ie Super League

In the InsureMyVan.ie Super League, Damaria Franklin hit 26 points and Tom Dumont weighed in with 19, as Maree surmounted the challenge of defending champions, Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU in Kingfisher Sports Arena on Saturday night.

“Always happy to get a win in the Super League. The games have been so tight and this one was no different. We look forward to playing Moycullen next Sunday.”

- Charlie Crowley, Maree Head Coach

Charlie Crowley’s side were up by four at the half-time interval and, despite the best efforts of Adrian O’Sullivan, who carded 23 on the night, Ballincollig could not rein in last season’s InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy National Cup winners in the second half.

Belfast Star had five players in double figures, including top scorer Conor Quinn (16), as they ran out 29-point winners against Templeogue to remain clear at the top of the North Conference table.

Adrian Fulton’s side raced 20 points clear of the Dubliners by the half-time break and continued on to secure a victory that extended their lead in the North Conference to nine points, following Pyrobel Killester’s 93-76 reversal at the hands of EJ Sligo All-Stars in Mercy College.

A 21-point haul and solid display under the boards by Jamie Joseph Hayes, together with a combined tally of 35 for John Williams Jnr. and Cian Lally, helped propel Sligo to just their second league win of the campaign.

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors battled their way back from six points down at the half, to record an 83-93 point victory away to Energywise Ireland Neptune.

Jarvis Doles planted 23 points with Daniel Jokubaitis and Kan-jah Bosley adding a further 42 between them to help see the 2022 National Cup winners move up to fourth place in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League table.

A second-quarter run proved crucial in seeing Bright St. Vincent’s clinch a 79-75 victory over Ulster University, while Griffith College Éanna managed to see off Flexachem KCYMS in overtime, 92-98.

The one remaining fixture in the men’s top flight this weekend sees Maigh Cuilinn tip off against UCC Demons at 3pm on Sunday in the Kingfisher Sports Arena.

MissQuote.ie Division One

In the MissQuote.ie Division One, leaders, St Paul’s Killarney weathered a ferocious challenge by Phoenix Rockets to clinch a 73-71 victory in overtime, while Templeogue’s unbeaten start in the league drew to an end at the hands of a Limerick Sport Huskies outfit that carded an 88-74 win.

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles had 20 points to spare against Moy Tolka Rovers as they won out 52-72 before Abbey Seals Dublin Lions hit the century in a 100-81 win over Marble City Hawks and Oblate Dynamos recorded a 91-80 point victory in overtime against SETU Carlow.

On Sunday, iSecure Swords Thunder welcome Limerick Celtics to ALSAA.

InsureMyVan.ie Division One

In the InsureMyVan.ie Division One, Kavanagh’s Portlaoise Panthers suffered their first reversal in league action this season after they went down 106-101 in an epic encounter with Moy Tolka Rovers.

Michael Wallace top scored on 27 points as SETU Carlow beat Joels Dublin Lions 104-66, while Drogheda Wolves returned home from Belfield celebrating a 70-79 victory over UCD Marian.

Titans kept Killarney Cougars rooted to the foot of the table with a narrow 80-82 point victory at Presentation Gym, while Limerick Sport Eagles saw off SETU Waterford Vikings 97-80 and Scotts Lakers Killarney recorded a 90-77 triumph over Limerick Celtics.