Moy Tolka Rovers and Titans secure play-off berths while Limerick Sport Huskies maintain push for second

Another two play-off spots were filled in Domino’s Men’s Division One on Saturday night after Titans BC edged Maigh Cuilinn 82-78 in an exciting Galway derby in Ballinfoyle Castlegar Centre, and Moy Tolka Rovers saw off Mater Private Malahide 103-94 in an all-Dublin affair in the North Conference. In Domino’s Women’s Division One, Limerick Sport Huskies kept themselves very much in the reckoning for a runners-up finish in the regular season following their 81-49 success over Moy Tolka Rovers in St. Munchin’s College. 

Titans BC prevailed 82-78 after a real tug-of-war down the stretch against Galway rivals, Maigh Cuilinn on Saturday night in Ballinfoyle Castlegar Centre to secure one of the three remaining play-off berths up for grabs in Domino’s Men’s Division One South Conference.

Grant Olsson chalked up a game-best 30 points for the visitors, but even that was not enough to unhinge Titans, who finished with four players in double digits, among them being Joseph Coughlan on 25, and Michael Hayes and Fortune Igbokwe, who served up a combined 31 on the scoreboard together with 21 rebounds.

“At times we played some great defence and offence, and so did Maigh Cuilinn, but we kept our heads down the straight and managed to secure the win” remarked Ciaran Kiveney, Titans BC head coach.

“Twenty-five points from Joe Coughlan was a massive boost and, with four different players in double figures, it shows the depth of talent in our squad.

“We now focus on our next game and look to secure second place and a home quarter-final in the play-offs” he added.

A huge opening quarter, in which they outgunned Mater Private Malahide by 18 points, provided the groundwork for Moy Tolka Rovers’ 103-94 Dublin derby success at home on Saturday night, the victory guaranteeing them quarter-final action.

Another superb game by Mike Wallace saw him amass 36 points, with Emiliyan Grudov weighing in with a further 25, as the hosts held firm against Malahide, for whom Matthew Harper proved the most prolific on offence with a total of 28.

“We’ve struggled with consistency all season, but for three quarters of the game we played some of our best basketball of the season” beamed Vincent O’Keeffe, Moy Tolka Rovers head coach following Saturday’s victory.

“Our first quarter gave us a great platform which we never relinquished even though Malahide made a great run down the stretch.

“That win guarantees us a play-off spot, so we can now concentrate on finishing as well as possible to hopefully secure a home venue” he said.

Scotts Lakers Killarney, themselves, moved to the cusp to this season’s play-offs after they ran out 77-67 winners at home against neighbouring rivals, Killarney Cougars.

Mikah Blackwell led the charge for the hosts with an impressive haul of 32 points to help see off Cougars, whose own Joshua Strongman and Benjamin Todd totalled 40 points and 22 rebounds.

Drogheda Wolves suffered another setback in their drive to clinch the one remaining play-off berth up for grabs in the North Conference after they lost out 80-71 to Ulster University in Ballymakenny College.

The hosts reached the full-time buzzer with five players in double figures, including Tiago Pereira (16) and Stephen Safo (15), but it was still not enough to prevail against Ulster, for whom Curtis Larousse carded 22 points and, together with Nathan Karren, soaked up 24 rebounds.

Tipp Talons preserved their outside chances of reaching the Domino’s Men’s Division One quarter-finals after they saw off SETU Waterford Vikings 74-67 in Scoil Ruain.

A game-high 28 points for Joshua Reynolds went a long way to seeing the homeside emerged from this tie with the ‘W’ at the expense of a Vikings outfit whose offence was spearheaded by Aaron Jackson on 25.

North Conference winners, ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers picked up a 95-81 road win over Team NorthWest that dealt a severe blow to the homeside’s already slim chances of making it beyond the regular season.

James Phelan drained all, but one, of his 15 free throws on his way to a massive 40 points for Portlaoise in ATU Donegal, countering the haul of 33 that Shakeil Bertrand put up for NorthWest.

Joels Dublin Lions returned home from Phoenix Centre celebrating a 95-73 success over Carrick Cruisers, Aidan Igiehon turning in another impressive shift for the Clondalkin side with 28 points and 13 rebounds, while Evan Cook weighed in with a further 22 on the scoreboard.

Earlier in the week, 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.

While Finn Hughes did chalk up 29 points and 19 wins under the boards, it was not enough to inspire Celtics to yet another victory, as Eagles earned the bragging rights on this occasion, thanks in no small part to the Alexander Carlisle and the colossal 46 points he served up on the night.

In Domino’s Women’s Division One, Limerick Sport Huskies remained well in with a shout of ending the regular season in second-place after they enjoyed an 81-49 win over Moy Tolka Rovers in St. Munchin’s College.

The hosts took every quarter, as Scout Frame totalled 30 points and Delia Moore also made her presence felt with a further 21, together with a huge 18 rebounds and eight assists.

“Tonight’s game was an important win that moves us into second place in the league table” said Trevor Moore, Limerick Sport Huskies head coach.

“Finishing the regular season in second place ahead of the play-offs is now firmly in our own hands and I know that all the ladies are relishing the thought of a home start once the play-offs begin” he added.

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.

Yet again, Rahmena Henderson fuelled Cavan’s drive to victory with 31 points and 12 rebounds, while the Tolan sisters, Ciara, Niamh and Emma also reached double figures for a combined 38 points.

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 Inchicore.

A 53-point total for Megan Ormiston and Charley McGrath inspired this recovery against their Dublin rivals, for whom Adia Brisker and Sophie Staunton put up a combined 39 points and 18 rebounds.

On Sunday Abbey Seals Dublin Lions won their Dublin derby at iSecure Swords Thunder 70-66. Sofia Paska was key to their win thanks to her double-double, picking up 26 points and 17 rebounds for the victors, while Miah Ryan scored 19 points. Makayla Miller had 16 points and 16 rebounds for iSecure Swords Thunder, while Aoife O'Connell had 16 poins.