UCD Marian win insureMyHouse.ie Presidents’ Cup

MVP Johnathan Jean was the star of the show, as UCD Marian defeated Limerick Sport Eagles 91-78 to lift the InsureMyHouse.ie Presidents’ Cup.

The pacy American scored 29 points, picked up six rebounds and six assists, in a fine performance, to help his side past their resolute opponents. 

In front of a lively crowd, Sasha French’s dunk got UCD Marian’s support off their feet four and a half minutes in, as they trailed 11-9. The sides were level at 18 apiece following Sam Finlay’s basket and subsequent free throw. UCD then went on a 13 point run to close out the quarter, to lead 31-18.

The Dublin club’s lead was stretched further thanks to back-to-back three’s by captain Conor Meany, followed by another from Jean, to make it a 22-point game, 40-18, a little over a minute in to the second quarter. 

Limerick Sport Eagles fought their way back into the contest, former Ireland captain Jason Killeen was prominent, helping himself to 7 points in the quarter, as they trailed 47-36 at the break.

A three off the glass from Sam Finley got Matt Hall’s side off the mark in the second half, to trail 47-39. A long range three from Ignacio Folgueiras and one from the corner by David O’Connell made it a six-point game four minutes into the third, Limerick Sport Eagles now behind 53-47.

O’Connell brought the game level at 55-55, thanks to his three from the corner with three minutes to go in the quarter. It prompted a timeout call from UCD Marian, which had the desired effect for Ioannis Liapakis’ side - an 8-point run followed. It was concluded by a Jean layup in the last seconds of the quarter, to put UCD Marian 63-55 up.

A three point jump shot from Kealen Coats a minute into the fourth quarter saw Limerick Sport Eagles trail 65-58. After that Jean took matters into his own hands, a pull-up three a highlight to make it 68-58. Another three with four minutes to go from the American helped maintain their 10-point advantage, 75-65. Not long afterwards Limerick Sport Eagles’ Sam Finlay brought his tally to 18 points with another three, to reduce the gap to 77-68. UCD Marian were not to be overhauled in the closing stages and won out 91-78.

Limerick Sport Eagles 91-78 UCD Marian

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 18-31, Q2: 36-47, Q3: 55-63, Q4: 91-78

Limerick Sport Eagles:

Keelan Coats, Reece Barry, Sean Cantillon, Daniel Shahab, Sam Finlay, Nikola Ivkovic, Liam Price, David O’Connell, Ajay Ryan Walsh, Ronan Cregan, Ignacio Folguerias, Jason Killeen.

Head Coach: Matt Hall

Top Scorers: Sam Finlay 26, Keelan Coats 15, Ignacio Folguerias 11 

UCD Marian:

Leonardo Macron, Conor Meany, Padraic Moran, Séan O’Flynn, Luke Gillernan, Ronan Byrne, Matthew McGrath, Roey Stern, Sortiris Miltiadis, Tobias Christensen, Sasha French, Jonathan Jean.

Head Coach: Ioannis Liapakis

Top Scorers: Jonathan Jean 29, Sasha French 17, Tobias Christensen 12