National League

Feb 18 2024

iSecure Swords Thunder and Limerick Celtics reach play-offs while Drogheda Wolves lose ground

Both iSecure Swords Thunder and Limerick Celtics secured MissQuote.ie Division One play-off berths, while Kavanagh’s Portlaoise Panthers and UCD Marian tightened things up at the top of the InsureMyVan.ie Division One North Conference following Drogheda Wolves’ shock 89-71 defeat at home against Mater Private Malahide on Saturday night.

iSecure Swords Thunder were crowned MissQuote.ie Division One North Conference champions after they dug out a 78-69 victory over McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles in ALSAA on Saturday evening.

While Jensen Caretti inflicted the bulk of the damage for the Dubliners with 32 points and 12 rebounds, Aisling Sullivan also demonstrated great leadership on the court with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

"We’re thrilled to secure the North Conference title in front of packed home support” said iSecure Swords Thunder head coach, Paul Carr.

“The team and the club have taken a huge step in just a single season, so it's great to have an achievement to reflect that” he smiled.

Limerick Celtics, meanwhile, booked their place in the MissQuote.ie Division One semi-finals after they comfortably dealt with the challenge of SETU Carlow to win 90-56 in Crescent College.

Samantha Coleman put up 25 points for the homeside while Amy Buckley and Mikayla Brandon combined for 35 against a Carlow side that relied heavily on the game’s top-scorer Jahnae Gyles (28 points).

“The girls are delighted to be in the league semi-finals” said Limerick Celtics head coach, Tony Hehir.

“They followed up last weekend’s win against Huskies with another impressive performance against a resilient SETU Carlow side” he added.

There was no joy again this week for Limerick Sport Huskies as they shipped an 85-71 loss away to South Conference winners, St. Paul’s Killarney.

Sofia Paska again spearheaded St. Paul’s attack with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Denise Dunlea also made her presence felt with 13 points and 11 wins under the boards against a Limerick side that that was unable to recoup the ground lost to their opponents in the first half, despite Aishling McGann and Scout Frame combining for 44.

Templeogue made the short trip to Inchicore where they registered a 67-52 success against Oblate Dynamos despite Alarie Mayze putting up 25 points and 11 rebounds for the hosts on the night.

Madeline Holland enjoyed a productive outing for Templeogue, carding 21 points and eight rebounds, while Alisha Lewis proved quite clinical from the free-throw line, making seven of her nine attempts on her way to a total of 15 points.

Abbey Seals Dublin Lions had just four points to spare as they edged out Phoenix Rockets 69-65 in Coláiste Bríde.

It was another huge night for Sydney Kin as she emerged with 28 points and 17 rebounds for the Clondalkin side, every bit of which was required to counter the effects of Phoenix’s big hitter, Jay Ashby, who sank 24 points and mopped up 13 times under the boards.

A big second-quarter display, that saw them outscore Marble City Hawks by 20, proved key in powering Moy Tolka Rovers to an 84-55 victory at home on Saturday evening.

Four players, including Tazsa Garrett-Hamett (15 points and 13 rebounds) made double figures for Tolka, and even a 32-point haul for Olivia Crigler could not help the visitors forge a way back.

Both Kavanagh’s Portlaoise Panthers and UCD Marian capitalised on Drogheda Wolves’ shock 89-71 defeat at the hands of Mater Private Malahide to tighten things up at the top of the InsureMyVan.ie Division One North Conference.

Matthew Harper drained five of his eight attempts from beyond the arc on his way to a 27-point total, while BB Chuks-Mady, Daniel Heaney and Nino Hernandez combined for 29 rebounds as Malahide rocketed clear of the table toppers over the final quarter at Ballymakenny College on Saturday night.

UCD Marian drew to within three points of the summit in that group after they recorded a convincing 90-67 victory at home to Moy Tolka Rovers.

Tobias Christensen and Jonathan Jean each contributed 18 points and eight rebounds to UCD’s cause with the latter demonstrating great creativity as he added 11 assists to his stats sheet.

“It was a very important game for both teams and we're delighted with the result, but mostly with our performance, which was outstanding” said UCD Marian head coach, Ioannis Liapakis.

“We dominated the game for 40 minutes because our defence was phenomenal and I couldn't be more proud of our players” he added.

A 95-70 triumph over Joels Dublin Lions in St Mary’s Hall saw Kavanagh’s Portlaoise Panthers again join Drogheda Wolves at the top of the North Conference.

It was another big night for Kerry Richardson and Ravel Moody as they combined for 54 points and 19 rebounds, while Liam Kinsella put up 16, to see off a Lions outfit, for whom Evan Blackmon emerged their most prolific scorer with 20.

South Conference joint leaders, Limerick Celtics carded an 88-64 triumph over Titans BC in Crescent College, Da’kquan Davis and Andrew Whistett together amassing 60 points.

Indeed, apart from a second-quarter wobble, during which they were outscored by seven, Limerick remained in control of this tie to ensure they stayed at the top.

SETU Carlow remain neck and neck with Limerick at the summit after a big first-half performance powered them to an 88-57 victory over SETU Waterford Vikings in Barrow Centre.

Holding the visitors to just 21 points over the opening two quarters, Carlow opened up a 29-point advantage by the break, and solid scoring from Michael Wallace (19) and Armand Vaikuls (14) helped deny Carlow a way back, despite Idris Joyner netting them 26 points.

Kealan Coats top-scored on 28 points while Sam Finley put up an additional 25 as Limerick Sport Eagles preserved their play-off hopes with a 107-91 victory over Killarney Cougars in UL Arena.

Scotts Lakers Killarney held on to third place in the South Conference table after they recorded a 108-98 victory over a dogged Team NorthWest in Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre.

Christian Simmons’ colossal 41-point haul kept the visitors right in contention, but the combined 88 from Leondre Washington, Braden Bell and Eoin Carroll ensured the homeside prevailed.