Limerick Celtics extend perfect record in Men’s Division One after top-of-the-table victory

Limerick Celtics moved to 17 and 0 in Men’s Division One after they ran out 106-80 winners over ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers in Crescent College on Saturday night, while Carrick Cruisers picked up their fourth straight victory when they saw off the challenge of Titans BC 102-93 in Phoenix Centre. 

Unbeaten Men’s Division One leaders, Limerick Celtics showed no signs of wavering after they ran out 106-80 winners over ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers in Saturday night’s top-of-the-table clash in Crescent College.

Just three weeks after they had denied their Laois rivals in the President’s National Cup Final, Limerick inflicted, on the North Conference leaders, another defeat, this time in the league, AJ Williams starring with a 30-point haul as Celtics extended their unblemished record in Division One to a remarkable 17 games.

"We produced one of our best defensive home performances to date against a tough Portlaoise Panthers side. Offensively, I thought we executed really well and our entire squad all contributed to a super win on the night", Limerick Celtics head coach, Tony Hehir said.

Carrick Cruisers made it four wins on the bounce in Division One after they dished out a 102-93 defeat to Titans BC in Phoenix Centre.

Titans’ Michael Hayes proved quite a handful for the hosts, as he put up a massive 37 points,17 rebounds and four assists, but Carrick still managed to prevail as they reached the full-time buzzer with five players in double digits, among them Shamus Kahl and Benyi Gomez on a total of 45.

“That was a fantastic win against an excellent team in Titans” remarked Darren O’Neill, Carrick Cruisers head coach.

“We're in good form at the moment, having come off a great previous weekend, beating Scotts Lakers Killarney and Team Northwest.

“We now look forward to a very difficult double-header against Drogheda and Portlaoise, but confidence is high and we’re relishing the opportunity to chalk up another win” he stressed.

Ulster University made a swift return to winning ways following an agonising one-point loss to leaders, Limerick Celtics the previous week, as they saw off Tipp Talons 86-80 in Jordanstown Sports Village on Saturday afternoon.

Joshua Reynolds served up a huge 33 points for the visitors, but even that contribution could not deny Ulster, who fought back from 11 points down almost midway through the third quarter to secure the spoils, Curtis Larousse and Nathan Karren on a combined 35 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists by the close of proceedings.

Scotts Lakers Killarney certainly bolted down their defence in the second half of their Division One clash with Team NorthWest, restricting their hosts to a mere 18 points in that period as they battled back for a 65-60 win in ATU Donegal.

Seven points down at the half-time recess, the visitors fought back to end a run of three defeats, thanks in no small measure to the 35 points that Darnell Snyers and Mikah Blackwell totalled between them, along with the combined 26 rebounds that Eoin Carroll and Jack O’Sullivan soaked up on the night.

A big third-quarter performance helped propel Mater Private Malahide to a 92-79 success at home to Limerick Sport Eagles on Saturday night.

The hosts outgunned their opponents by 17 points in that penultimate period to take a tight grip on proceedings, with  Romonn Nelson finishing on 80 percent from beyond the arc as he chalked up a game-best 31 points in response to the 28 that Alexander Carlisle put up for Limerick.

The in-form Drogheda Wolves weathered a severe challenge from SETU Waterford Vikings to prevail 101-92 in Ballymakenny College, extending their winning run to four games.

Both teams enjoyed a good spread of points, with Denzel Ebose, on 23, the most prolific of the six players in double figures for Drogheda, while Waterford had five in double digits, among them, top scorer, Aaron Jackson on 31.

A huge first quarter in which they opened up a 16-point lead, set the stage for Moy Tolka Rovers’ 109-83 road win over Killarney Cougars in Presentation Gym.

Daniel Ayoade and Mike Wallace, with a combined 42 points and 17 assists, lit the way for the Dublin side who got back on track following their 18-point reversal at the hands of Joels Dublin Lions the previous weekend.