Limerick Celtics make it the perfect ten as Tipp Talons surmount Drogheda Wolves and McEvoys Cavan Eagles extend winning run

A comprehensive 105-70 road win over Team NorthWest saw South Conference pace setters, Limerick Celtics make it 10 from 10 in Men’s Division One, while at the other end of the table, Tipp Talons secured a hugely-valuable 87-74 victory over Drogheda Wolves in Scoil Ruain on Saturday night. In Women’s Division One, McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles maintained their unwavering run as they chalked up a 76-57 triumph at home against Moy Tolka Rovers.

In Men’s Division One, Limerick Celtics pushed their perfect record in the South Conference into double figures by way of a comprehensive 105-70 victory over Team NorthWest in Foyle Arena on Saturday evening.

Ariyon Williams served up another huge performance for the table toppers, amassing a game-high 38 points, while Finn Hughes weighed in with an additional 31, along with eight rebounds, to help see off a Team NorthWest outfit, whose own Tyler Mutemasango carded 27 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.

Tipp Talons pulled of a big 87-74 victory at home to Drogheda Wolves in Scoil Ruain to haul themselves off the foot of the South Conference table.

The newly-acquired Joshua Reynolds, along with Adam Parker, played a huge part in what was only a second win of the campaign so far for the hosts, the two racking up 51 points between them- a carbon copy of what Tiago Pereira and Christian Simmons provided for Drogheda.

“I was over the moon with the win, but more importantly, I was excited about our performance” said Niall Berry, Tipp Talons head coach.

“The introduction of Josh was massive and he had an immediate impact, but he was supported with big contributions from other players like Adam, Justin [Wickham] and Miles [O’Donnell].

“We’re very much looking forward to growing in the coming weeks and seeing if we can pick up a few more wins along the way” he added.

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers moved to 9 and 0 at the summit of the North Conference following their hard-fought 82-72 victory over SETU Waterford Vikings in St. Mary’s Hall on Sunday.

While they were without the services of Kevin Donohoe and Aleksandar Kovacevic, Portlaoise still had sufficient fire-power to see this one out, Eric Anderson and James Phelan totalling 43 points, while Davin McEvoy and Liam Kinsella each added a further 14.

Ulster University dished out an 83-72 defeat to Maigh Cuilinn in Knocknacarra Community Centre in the early Saturday fixture.

Robert Graham and Curtis Larousse combined for 43 points and 11 rebounds for the visitors, the former going off outside the arc as he converted six of his eight three-point attempts against a Maigh Cuilinn team for whom Aitor Munoz and Grant Olsson totalled 37 points and 12 rebounds between them.

Limerick Sport Eagles delivered a big second-quarter display that saw them convert a six-point deficit into a nine-point lead in what proved a crucial period in their 84-78 success over Carrick Cruisers in Phoenix Centre on Saturday night.

Darragh Horkan emerged the game’s top scorer on 26 points, while Alexander Carlisle and Ignacio Folgueiras also featured prominently in Limerick’s victory, with 17 apievce, the later taking 12 defensive boards for good measure.

Scotts Lakers Killarney ended a run of two defeats in the league after they floored the pedal in the fourth quarter to see off Joels Dublin Lions 71-66 in Coláiste Bríde.

Mikah Blackwell played a significant role in this victory, putting up 20 points and 14 rebounds to help counter the 18 points and 17 rebounds that Aidan Igiehon carded for the Clondalkin side.

 

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles showed no signs of blinking as they made it six from six to remain top of the Women’s Division One table at the expense of a Moy Tolka Rovers team they beat 76-57 in Virginia Show Centre on Saturday evening.

The second quarter proved a decisive period in this clash as the hosts outscored their Dublin rivals by 19 points to take control, Rahmena Henderson and Lanetta Williams again landing the heavy blows for Cavan with a combined 42 points and 21 rebounds.

“I’m very happy with the win against Tolka” said John Stephens, McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles head coach. “It was the second time we played and won against them this week, and both games were good battles.  

“We executed well on offense and defence today, and it was another super team effort that gave us the win” he added.

Limerick Sport Huskies remained hot on the heels of the table toppers after they outpaced Abbey Seals Dublin Lions down the stretch to earn an 84-77 win in St. Munchin’s College.

A big three pointer and two from the free-throw line by Delia Moore fuelled that late surge by the hosts, for whom Scout Frame nailed all four of her attempts from outside the arc on her away to colossal 42-point haul.

Sofia Paska was just as impressive for Lions, as she amassed a huge 39 points and 16 rebounds, but even that was not enough to prevent the Clondalkin side shipping their third loss of the campaign.

“We knew there would be very little between the two teams” admitted Limerick Sport Huskies boss, Trevor Moore.

“Sofia was tough for us to handle as was Miah Ryan, but the Huskies girls were superb on both ends. We had a few shaky moments, but we were solid down the stretch and pulled off the win” he smiled.

iSecure Swords Thunder inflicted on Cleveland Rockets their first reversal in the league since mid-October, the Dublin side running out 66-56 winners in ALSAA on Saturday evening.

Makayla Miller carded a game-high 22 points, along with 12 rebounds and four assists, while Peggy Black also made a sizeable impact for the winners with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

In Sunday’s lone Women’s Division One fixture, Limerick Celtics stormed to a 76-51 success over Templeogue in Crescent College.

The hosts did all the heavy lifting in the opening half, establishing a 28-point cushion as Shelby Harmeyer and Stephanie McBride registered a combined 38 points, together with 27 rebounds.