National League

Oct 06 2024

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers make blistering start while Limerick Sport Huskies prevail in derby

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers managed to shackle Joels Dublin Lions as they ignited their 2024/25 Men’s National League Division One campaign with an 81-49 win in St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday night, while it was Limerick Sport Huskies who earned the local bragging rights following their 83-73 Women’s Division One derby success over Limerick Celtics in St. Munchin’s College.

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers made a blistering start to their 2024/25 Men’s National League Division One campaign with an 81-49 triumph over Joels Dublin Lions in St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday night.

Jack Scully’s side were 14 points to the good by the close of the first quarter and continued on to win the next three periods, with newly-acquired American, Eric Anderson finishing on a game-high 24 points, while James Phelan and Davin McEvoy combined for a further 29.

“We’re absolutely delighted with the win” said Portlaoise head coach, Jack Scully. “We had a certain plan in place, the boys stuck to it and it worked.

“We placed real importance on defence and, to keep a team like Dublin Lions to 49 points is a savage result” he smiled.

Moy Tolka Rovers made an early-season statement by surmounting the challenge of Drogheda Wolves 110-93 in Tolka Rovers Sports Complex.

Despite a massive 37-point haul and 12 rebounds for Drogheda’s Christian Simmons, it was the homeside who prevailed, as they boasted no less than six players on double figures by the close of proceedings, including Mike Wallace on 28 and Emiliyan Grudov on 23.

Maigh Cuilinn ignited their bid for an immediate return to the top ranks of Irish men’s basketball with an 82-75 victory over Limerick Sport Eagles, who relied heavily on Alexander Carlisle and the 34 points he brought to the table on Saturday.

Despite a slow start that left them seven points adrift of their opponents by the close of the first quarter, the hosts fought back for the win, with Aitor Munoz netting 22 points, while Ivan Basic and Grant Olsson combined for a further 35.

The other team relegated from Super League last season, Ulster University, had no such joy in their Division One opener, losing out on the road 88-78 to Team NorthWest.

Together, Tyler Mutemasango and Alberto Rodriguez served up 45 points for the homeside who held out in the face of a late rally by Ulster.

Titans BC fought back from 10 points down deep in the opening quarter to record a convincing 98-77 win over Killarney Cougars in Ballinfoyle Castlegar Centre.

The homeside ended the game with five players in double digits, including Michael Hayes on 22 and Charles Pepin and Viktor Tashev, who weighed in with a combined 29 to help counter the impressive haul of 30 that Kani Glover amassed for Killarney.

There was no dream start to life in the National League for Tipp Talons, as they suffered a 98-70 point reversal at the hands of Limerick Celtics in Crescent College.

Ariyon Williams and Finn Hughes inflicted the bulk of the damage on the visitors, as they linked up for a huge 56 points and 22 rebounds, while Shemarri Miles proved Tipp’s most prolific competitor on the night with 29.

Another Division One debutant, Carrick Cruisers served up a dogged display on the road against Mater Private Malahide, but were ultimately undone 93-84, despite a huge game for Shamus Kahl who amassed 35 points and 14 rebounds.

Malahide’s Romonn Nelson was just two shy of that points total, while Murray Hendry also contributed significantly to the hosts’ winning start with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the meeting of SETU Waterford Vikings and Scotts Lakers Killarney was abandoned due to a leaking roof.

It was Limerick Sport Huskies who earned the local bragging rights in their opening night derby against Women’s Division One rivals, Limerick Celtics, winning out 83-73.

Scout Frame was irrepressible in St. Munchin’s College on Saturday evening as she totalled a massive 38 points and 15 rebounds, with Delia Moore weighing in with 25 points and 10 mop-ups under the boards against their neighbouring rivals who still had four players on double figures, including Louise Scannell on 25.

“I couldn’t be happier with our very positive start to the season” said Limerick Sport Huskies head coach, Trevor Moore.

“The girls played great. We minded the ball well and showed a lot of patience in breaking down Celtics’ big 2-3 zone.

“Scout and Delia led our scoring, but it was, for sure, a great team performance on both ends of the court, and, of course, it’s always a little sweeter to win the local Limerick derby game” he smiled.

ISecure Swords Thunder won every quarter as they carded an emphatic 87-60 success over Moy Tolka Rovers in Saturday evening’s Dublin derby in ALSAA.

Makayla Miller made all four of her three-point attempts on her way to a total of 35 while also soaking up 11 rebounds, with the newly-acquired Brahe Ashton proving Tolka’s most prolific competitor on 16.

It was an equally impressive performance by Abbey Seals Dublin Lions in their Women’s Division One derby clash with Oblate Dynamos as Martin Conroy’s new charges stormed to an 89-64 win in Coláiste Bríde.

Jessica Fressle made an immediate impact in her first competitive game for the Clondalkin side following her switch from Portlaoise, top scoring on 23, while another new recruit, Sofia Paska tallied 20 points and 13 rebounds.

A fourth-quarter surge proved crucial in seeing McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles ignite their Women’s Division One campaign with a 53-47 victory over Cleveland Rockets in Lisburn Racquets Club.

Deadlocked at the half-time recess, this game saw sisters, Ciara and Emma Tolan prove very effective for Cavan, combining for 33 points, while Rahmena Henderson served up a further nine points and 10 rebounds that helped counter the 23-point total put up by Cleveland’s Jessica Fairweather and Georgie McGrath.