Limerick Celtics clinch dramatic win at the death while McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles move to 10 and 0

Abdul Wurie’s buzzer-beating deuce saw Limerick Celtics clinch a thrilling 82-81 victory over Ulster University in Crescent College on Sunday evening, extending their unbeaten run in Men’s Division One to 15 games, while in Women’s Division One, leaders McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles ran out 83-54 winners over iSecure Swords Thunder in Virginia Show Centre to improve their record to 10 and 0. 

In what was among the stand-out contests so far in a double-game weekend in Men’s Division One, Abdul Wurie served up a buzzer-beating deuce that saw Limerick Celtics pip Ulster University 82-81 in Crescent College on Sunday, subsequently extending their unbeaten National League run this season to 15 games.

That decisive bucket took Wurie’s overall tally to 24 points on a day that also saw his team mate, AJ Williams amass a huge 38, every bit of which was needed to see off a tenacious Ulster side that was coming into this game on the back of their 102-75 victory over Mater Private Malahide in Jordanstown Sports Village on Friday night.

“That was such a fantastic ending to a super game against a very talented Ulster University side” exclaimed Tony Hehir, Limerick Celtics head coach.

“We showed great composure in the closing seconds to execute the final play and take the win” he said.

North Conference leaders, ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers recorded a comprehensive 105-66 victory away to Killarney Cougars in what was their first game back since their President’s National Cup Final loss to Limerick Celtics a fortnight ago.

The Laois side saw everyone on their match-day roster make the scoresheet, Eric Anderson, James Phelan and Davin McEvoy totalling 54 points between them to help address the game-high 27 that Joshua Strongman bagged for Killarney.

Carrick Cruisers earned their third win of the campaign after they surmounted the challenge of Scotts Lakers Killarney 80-73 in Killarney Sports and Leisure on Saturday night.

A mere two points separated the sides by the close of the third quarter, but a fourth-quarter haul of 11 points by Shamus Kahl went a long way to propelling Carrick over the line.

With a return of 26 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, Christian Simmons inspired Drogheda Wolves to a 96-78 win on the road against Limerick Sport Eagles.

Alexander Carlisle served up an impressive 29 points for Limerick, but it was not enough to spur them to success against a Drogheda outfit that also benefitted from the 18 apiece that Stephen Safo and Tiago Pereira bagged on the night.

Grant Olsson and Aitor Munoz combined for 38 points and 27 rebounds as Maigh Cuilinnemerged 75-61 winners from their clash with Team NorthWest in University of Galway Kingfisher on Saturday night.

Alberto Rodriguez and Shakeil Bertrand totalled 19 under the boards and 45 on the scoresheet for the visitors, but even that could not undo their Galway rivals, who pulled clear in the fourth quarter.

Joels Dublin Lions bounced back from their 88-77 defeat at hands of Titans BC in Ballinfoyle Castlegar on Saturday night to record a 92-74 success away to Moy Tolka Rovers on Sunday evening.

Evan Cook and Aran Lee delivered the heavy blows for Lions, the two combining for 57 points and 28 rebounds, to help undo their Dublin rivals, who, only the day before, had carded a 108-93 victory away to SETU Waterford Vikings.

The Men’s Division One double-game weekend continues on Monday with a further five tiesdown for decision.

 

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles were back in Women’s Division One action for the first time since late December and the unbeaten leaders picked up right where they left off as they ran out 83-54 winners over iSecure Swords Thunder in Virginia Show Centre.

In what was a repeat of last month’s National Cup decider, from which Cavan emerged 18-point winners, the hosts again delivered another big victory over their Dublin rivals, five of their players reaching double figures on the scoresheet, among them Rahmena Henderson and Lanetta Williams on a combined 31 points, 22 rebounds and 10 assists.

“It was great to get back into league action this weekend” said John Stephens, McEvoyCavan Eagles head coach.

“We played well, executing on both ends of the floor, against a talented Swords team. It was great to get the win and keep our league campaign on track” he added.

Stephanie McBride put up 32 points and 13 rebounds as second place, Limerick Celtics beat Oblate Dynamos 91-75 in Inchicore on Saturday night.

The Dublin side, who had four players in double figures, including Sophie Staunton on 21, were just six points adrift of their opponents heading into the fourth quarter, but a late surge by Limerick, that included 12 points by Amy Buckley and a combined 14 by McBride and Sabhbh Murphy, saw them comfortably over the line in the end.

Templeogue prevailed 82-73 in their Dublin derby with Abbey Seals Dublin Lions, despite Sofia Paska producing a monster performance, that included 33 points and 18 rebounds for the Clondalkin side in the National Basketball Arena on Saturday evening.

There was more of a spread in the scoring for the hosts with Genovea Johnson serving up 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Hannah Murphy and Aoife Whelan combined for a further 31 on the scoreboard.

Cleveland Rockets managed to shake off a dogged Moy Tolka Rovers outfit to secure a 75-63 victory in Lisburn Racquets Club on Saturday afternoon.

With the game deadlocked at 34 points apiece at the half-time break, Rockets opened up a nine-point gap by the close of the third quarter and managed to keep their Dublin rivals at arms-length down the stretch, Megan Ormiston serving up 23 points and a huge 21 rebounds for the winners, while Jahnae Gyles was best for Tolka on 22 points and nine rebounds.