Defending champions Killester get back on track while Belfast Star bolster play-off hopes

Defending Domino’s Women’s Super League champions, Killester returned to winning ways following a 79-59 victory over Catalyst Fr. Mathews in Clontarf on Saturday evening, while in Domino’s Men’s Super League, Belfast Star edged a 94-91 win over Flexachem KCYMS in Newforge Sports Complex, enhancing their prospects of clinching a play-off berth.

Killester returned to winning ways as the jostling for play-off positions in Domino’s Women’s Super League continues, the defending champions carding a 79-59 victory over Catalyst Fr. Mathews in Clontarf on Saturday evening.

Looking to bounce back from their seven-point loss to The Address UCC Glanmire the week before, the Dublin side opened up a 16-point advantage over Fr. Mathews early in the second quarter and managed to remain out in front to the final buzzer, Michelle Clarke draining five of her nine attempts from beyond the arc on her way to a game-high 22 points.

Grainne Dwyer of Catalyst Fr. Mathew's against Killester in the Domino's Women's Super League.

“That was a nice win for us” said Mark Grennell, Killester head coach. “They’re a good team and we did well to control the game like we did.

“I felt our standout was our work rate which had been a bit flat the last few games. We look forward to next week [away to FloMAX Liffey Celtics] now” he added.

Trinity Meteors remain neck and neck with Killester on nine wins apiece in the table after they turned up the heat in the second half to record an 80-62 road win over the in-form Utility Trust St. Paul’s on Saturday.

Emma Merriweather and Morgan Lenahan put in a serious shift for the visitors, the two players each carding 18 points, while combining for 19 rebounds and eight assists that went a long way to addressing the 23 points and 10 rebounds that Alexandra Wittenger chalked up for the Kerry side.

Five players finished in double figures for FloMAX Liffey Celtics, including Alexandra Navarette (20) and Ireland underage international, Clara Boyce (11) as the Paudie O’Connor National Cup winners earned an 85-34 win away to University of Galway Mystics on Saturday afternoon.

Eboni Williams and Rachel Huijsdens made their presence felt under the boards for the Leixlip side with a total of 21 rebounds, while captain, Áine O’Connor added 18 to the scoreboard for the visitors.

 

Belfast Star made a big statement in their drive for the play-offs after they edged a 94-91 victory over fellow contenders, Flexachem KCYMS in what was their first outing in another double-game weekend in Domino’s Men’s Super League.

Trailing by eight points early in the fourth quarter in Newforge Sports Complex on Saturday evening, the hosts battled their way back as De Ondre Jackson put up 12 points in the closing eight minutes to take his overall tally to 29 by the close of proceedings, with Darweshi Hunter and Maximillian Cooper also providing a combined 44 points to Star’s cause.

It was a tough reversal for their Killorglin rivals, who, despite having five players in double figures including Beni Fungula on 22, shipped their third defeat on the bounce.

“Killorglin are a tough side as they have a lot of weapons” remarked Sean Ingle, Belfast Star head coach.

“This was a game of runs, but our lads dug deep defensively in the fourth, to come out with a really important win to keep our play-off hopes alive” he stressed.

UCC Demons moved six points clear at the top of the table after they prevailed 98-91 in overtime against EJ Sligo All-Stars in Mercy College on Saturday night, Patrick Robinson and Elijah Tillman combining for 11 points over the additional five minutes to increase their total to 37 and 24 respectively.

Energywise Ireland Neptune followed up Friday night’s two-point victory over Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in Neptune Stadium with an 81-67 road win over Bright St. Vincent’s on Saturday night, Chancellor Hunter and Tamyrik Fields combining for 53 points and 24 rebounds for the Cork side against their Dublin rivals.

Bright St Vincent’s lead by 7 with just under 5 minutes to play in the second quarter!

Q2 4:51 | Bright St. Vincent’s 32-25 Energywise Ireland Neptune

🔹 #DominosMSL | @Dominos_ROI pic.twitter.com/TU0QWKYejJ

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) March 1, 2025

UCD Marian worked their way back from a disappointing opening quarter to beat Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU 84-79 at MTU Arena on Friday night, five players hitting double figures for the Dublin outfit, including Jonathan Jean with 17 points and 14 rebounds.

In the last of the Friday night fixtures, Griffith College Éanna inflicted a third loss in five games on Killester after they ran out 88-72 winners in Clontarf, Stefan Desnica and Tyland Crawford each putting up 24 points, along with a combined 15 rebounds, for the defending champions.

Five more games are down for decision in Domino’s Men’s Super League on Sunday as EJ Sligo All-Stars welcome Templeogue to Mercy College, Maree host Belfast Star in Claregalway Secondary School, UCD Marian face off against Griffith College Éanna in a Dublin derby, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors take on Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @ MTU and leaders, UCC Demons entertain Killester in a top-of-the-table clash at Mardyke Arena.

 

In Domino’s Men’s Division One, both Moy Tolka Rovers and Titans BC ensured themselves play-off berths, as the former earned a 103-94 victory at home to Mater Private Malahide, while Titans edged Maigh Cuilinn 82-78 in Saturday night’s Galway derby in Ballinfoyle Castlegar Centre.

Scotts Lakers Killarney moved closer to a play-off spot after they ran out 77-67 winners at home against neighbouring rivals, Killarney Cougars, while Drogheda Wolves suffered another setback in their drive to make it beyond the regular season after they lost out 80-71 to Ulster University in Ballymakenny College.

Tipp Talons saw off SETU Waterford Vikings 74-67 in Scoil Ruain, while Joels Dublin Lions returned home from Phoenix Centre celebrating a 95-73 success over Carrick Cruisers.

North Conference winners, ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers picked up a 95-81 victory over Team NorthWest in ATU Donegal after South Conference winners, Limerick Celtics suffered their very first reversal of the season following a 91-86 derby defeat at the hands of Limerick Sport Eagles in UL Arena last Wednesday.

 

In Domino’s Women’s Division One, Limerick Sport Huskies remained well in the hunt for a second-place finish after they enjoyed an 81-49 win over Moy Tolka Rovers in St. Munchin’s College.

Regular season winners, McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles are now the only remaining unbeaten team across the four National League divisions and they pushed that perfect run in Division One out to 14 games after they overpowered Templeogue 86-41 in Virginia Show Centre.

Cleveland Rockets fought back from seven points down midway through the second quarter to card a 109-74 victory on the road against Oblate Dynamos in Inchciore.