Limerick Celtics and iSecure Swords Thunder maintain strong start in National League

Limerick Celtics fended off a tough challenge from Maigh Cuilinn to earn an 84-70 win in Crescent College and make it two from two in the Men’s National League Division One, while ISecure Swords Thunder chalked up a second successive home win in their new Women’s Division One campaign, edging out Templeogue 77-71 in ALSAA.

Limerick Celtics were among six teams to make it two from two in the Men’s National League Division One at the weekend, beating Maigh Cuilinn 84-70 in Crescent College on Saturday night.

The hosts coughed up a 10-point first-quarter cushion as their Galway rivals battled back into a four-point lead early in the third.

But the 53 points and 29 rebounds served up by Ariyon Williams and Finn Hughes between them went a long way to steadying the ship and seeing Limerick comfortably over the line in the end.

“We’re delighted to pick another home win against a tough Maigh Cuilinn side” said Limerick Celtics head coach, Tony Hehir.

“The lads worked really hard and showed great composure to close the game out” he added.

Drogheda Wolves made blistering starts to both halves to run out 30-point winners (84-54) against Team NorthWest in ATU Donegal.

The visitors carried a 20-point advantage into the second quarter, and while Team NorthWest managed to recoup six by the break, they were outstripped again in the third by a Drogheda side that boasted five players on double figures, including Adam Mullally on 18, while Christian Simmons weighed in with 15 points and 16 rebounds.

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers managed to weather a third-quarter wobble that saw Ulster University battle back on the level terms from 12 points down, Jack Scully’s side taking off again down the stretch for an 80-66 victory in Jordanstown Sports Village.

Xabi Arriaga proved the game’s most prolific scorer on 24 points with Eric Anderson also making his presence felt for the visitors with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Michael Hayes and Charles Pepin were flawless from the floor, serving up a total of 58 points to help see Titans BC to a 95-81 success against Limerick Sport Eagles in UL Arena.

Every bit of that haul was required by Ciaran Kiveney’s side, who were facing a Limerick outfit inspired by a near perfect display from Alexander Carlisle, that saw him drain every one of his 18 shots from play either side of the arc on his way to a massive 43 points.

New arrivals to the National League, Carrick Cruisers put up a good battle, but fell short against a Moy Tolka Rovers team that was driven on by the combine 64 points from Stephen Commins and Emiliyan Grudov that went a long way to seeing them win out 109-92.

On any other day, five players on double figures, including the 39 total from Gustas Pocevicius and Kevin O’Hanlon, would perhaps have been enough to get the hosts off the mark in Division One, but not on this occasion.

Tipp Talons led by six with just under four minutes remaining, but ultimately succumbed to a late push by Scotts Lakers Killarney that earned them an 80-76 home victory.

Mikah Blackwell was crucial to that surge down the stretch for Killarney, hitting 17 points in the fourth quarter to take his total to 35 against a Tipp Talons outfit for whom Shemarri Miles carded 19 points and nine rebounds.

Joels Dublin Lions were another team pipped late on as they coughed up a three-point advantage in the closing minute against a Mater Private Malahide outfit that edged an 85-81 victory in Coláiste Bríde.

Aidan Igiehon led the charge for Lions with a game-high 30 points, but even that was not enough to propel the Clondalkin side to their first win of the campaign as their cross-city rivals prevailed, thanks largely to the combined 35 from Romonn Nelson and Murray Hendry.

SETU Waterford Vikings weathered a fourth-quarter surge by hosts, Killarney Cougars to record a 93-84 win in Presentation Gym on Saturday night.

Aaron Jackson emerged with 34 points to his name, while James Aboaba served up a further 27 for the visitors, as they saw off a Killarney side that had four players on double figures, including Kani Glover on 25.

 

Last season’s Women’s National League Division One finalists, iSecure Swords Thunder picked up their second straight home win a week into their 2024/25 campaign after they edged out cross-city rivals, Templeogue 77-71 in ALSAA on Saturday night.

Finding themselves eight points down early on in the third quarter, Swords battled back for the win, helped in no small way by Makayla Miller’s 23 points and 15 rebounds, together with the 15 points apiece that Kate Kelly and Jasmine Walker contributed.

The hosts needed every bit of that contribution in the face of a severe Templeogue threat that was fuelled by the combined 49 points that Hannah Murphy and Joelle Johnson-Burnley served up on the day.

“We’re delighted to get another home win under our belts” said iSecure Swords Thunder head coach, Paul Carr.

“We weren't happy with the way we applied ourselves in the first half. Our energy levels weren't where we expect them to be and we left ourselves in a hole.

“However I was happy with our fight and attitude in the second half and that helped us secure the win” he added.

Limerick Celtics were made scrap tooth and nail for their 97-94 triumph over Cleveland Rockets in Crescent College, battling back from 11 points down at the end of the opening quarter to clinch a win that gets them off the mark in this season’s campaign.

Stephanie McBride lit up the Crescent College court with a stunning 40 points, 30 rebounds and six assists, while Shelby Harmeyer chipped in with 24 points to help Limerick prevail against a Rockets team for whom Jessica Fairweather, Caitlin Gloeckner and Charley McGrath totalled 67 points.

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Moy Tolka Rovers chalked up their first win under new head coach, Suzanne Maguire, beating Abbey Seals Dublin Lions 83-79 at home on Saturday night.

While the Clondalkin side finished with four players on double figures, including Miah Ryan on 16, it was Brahe Ashton who spearheaded Tolka’s attack on 25 points, with Jahnae Gyles and Meagan Hoffman adding a further 29 between them.

A huge third quarter, in which they outgunned their opponents by 23 points, helped propel Limerick Sport Huskies to an emphatic 92-66 triumph over Oblate Dynamos in Inchicore.

Scout Frame top scored on 29 points, while Delia Moore drained three of her four efforts from outside the arc on her way to a total of 21, the two also combining with Orlaith Woods for 33 rebounds.