National League

Dec 31 2023

UCD Marian battle out big win over SETU Carlow while iSecure Swords Thunder prevail in overtime against Marble City Hawks

UCD Marian inflicted a hard-fought 89-82 defeat on InsureMyVan.ie Division One South Conference joint leaders, SETU Carlow to see them remain well in the hunt for the North Conference title, while ISecure Swords Thunder prevailed 70-64 in overtime against Marble City Hawks to keep pace with Templeogue at the top of the MissQuote.ie Division One North Conference.

A week out from their date with Mater Private Malahide in the semi-finals of the InsureMyHouse.ie President’s National Cup, UCD Marian earned a timely boost after they inflicted only a second league defeat on InsureMyVan.ie Division One South Conference joint leaders, SETU Carlow, running out 89-82 winners.

For UCD head coach, Ioannis Liapakis, defence was key to this home victory which keeps his side very much on the heels of North Conference joint leaders, Kavanagh’s Portlaoise Panthers and Drogheda Wolves.

“We're delighted with the result and our performance. I couldn't be more proud of our players” smiled Liapakis.

“Our win was based on our defence. Carlow has the best offense in the league with 100 points per game and we kept them to 82.

“Over the last three minutes our defence was amazing, while Jonathan Jean carried us offensively and scored our last 11 points” he said.

Limerick Celtics drew level with SETU Carlow at the summit of the South Conference after they chalked up an 88-67 triumph over Moy Tolka Rovers on the road.

Both Justin Motley and Michael Hood were immense in attack for the visitors, with each putting up 28 points, while the former also mopped up 16 rebounds for good measure.

Joint North Conference leaders, Kavanagh’s Portlaoise Panthers and Drogheda Wolves both carded big wins at the weekend, with the former chalking up a 99-62 victory away to SETU Waterford Vikings, while Drogheda returned home from Kerry celebrating a 91-72 triumph over Scotts Lakers Killarney.

American Ravel Moody again spearheaded Portlaoise’s offence with 29 points as Liam Kinsella weighed in with a further 21 and Byron Jamal Gladden soaked up a huge 15 rebounds.

For Drogheda Wolves, it was Adam Mulally who illuminated the path to victory in Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre with a huge 36-point tally that was supplemented by more solid scoring from Francisco Antonio Cruz Dias (17), Justin Copman and Tiago Dos Santos Pereira (15 points apiece).

Limerick Sport Eagles enjoyed a comfortable 100-66 win over Team NorthWest in the UL Arena, with Kealan Coats also amassing 36 points on the day.

Joels Dublin Lions had just two points to spare in their clash with a dogged Titans BC team, winning out 87-85 in Coláiste Bríde.

Indeed, the Brendan Trapper-inspired Clondalkin side barely managed to weather a huge fourth-quarter surge by their Galway rivals who made up 15 points down the stretch, but still came up just short in the end.

In the MissQuote.ie Division One, Templeogue and ISecure Swords Thunder remain deadlocked at the top of the North Conference after they both scored victories on the road.

ISecure Swords Thunder required one phase of overtime to see off a tenacious Marble City Hawks 70-64 in O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club and keep pace with their Dublin rivals at the conference summit.

A huge fourth-quarter display, in which Swords outscored their hosts by 11, hauled them back on to level terms before the close of regulation time.

And crucial baskets over the additional five minutes of play from Jensen Caretti, Aisling Sullivan and their top-scorer on the day, Peggy Black (22 points), saw them over the line.

“We’re very happy to pick up a road win against an improving Marble City team” said ISecure Swords Thunder head coach, Paul Carr.

“We were missing a few key players for the game and foul trouble in the second quarter left us in a big hole to dig ourselves out from.

“But the team showed great resilience to come back and pick up the win with our captain, Peggy Black leading the charge before Aisling Sullivan stepped up and hit the clutch 3 to seal the game.

“As she has done all season, Megan Connolly’s defensive performance was again an example to all young players on how to play defence at such a high level” he added.

Templeogue, meanwhile, enjoyed a more comfortable 73-47 win over Moy Tolka Rovers with Lynn Tunnah delivering a game-high 25 points and Alisha Lewis and Madeline Holland also hitting double figures.

“I'm really happy with our performance and the result” said Templeogue head coach, Mark Byrne.

“Our defence was very good for long stretches and we rebounded very well while, offensively, our ball movement was the key as that opened up good shooting opportunities for us.

“I was delighted at how everyone contributed with balanced minutes and scoring” he added.

South Conference leaders, St Paul’s Killarney also survived a real scare on Saturday on their way to 66-63 win over Oblate Dynamos in Inchicore.

Alarie Mayze hit 19 points for the hosts as they pushed St Paul’s all the way, with the solid scoring of Khiarica Rasheed (19 points), Sofia Paska (19) and Lorraine Scanlon (18) proving essential in the visitors’ bid to make it over the line.

Abbey Seals Dublin Lions earned a timely boost ahead of their InsureMyHouse.ie Division One National Cup semi-final against McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles next Saturday by recording 93-74 victory over Limerick Sport Huskies in Coláiste Bríde.

While Limerick relied heavily on the 33-point contribution from Scout Frame, Dublin Lions saw five of their players finish up on double figures, including their top scorer, Sydney Kin on 23.