Maigh Cuilinn secure their place in playoffs while Limerick Sport Huskies take second seed

Maigh Cuilinn came through a tough test against Tipp Talons, winning out 86-76 in University of Galway Kingfisher on Saturday night to lock up the last remaining play-off berth in Domino’s Men’s Division One South Conference, while Limerick Sport Huskies clinched second seed in Domino’s Women’s Division One after they carded a 74-47 victory over iSecure Swords Thunder in St. Munchin’s College.

Maigh Cuilinn nailed down the final playoff spot that was up for grabs in Domino’s Men’s Division One South Conference after they surmounted the challenge of Tipp Talons 86-76 in University of Galway Kingfisher on Saturday night.

Grant Olsson enjoyed another big game for the Galway side, chalking up 24 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Aitor Munoz weighed in with 15 points and 12 boards, to help negotiate a serious test by Tipp that was spearheaded by Joshua Reynolds and the game-high 29 points he served up.

“We’re delighted to have secured our spot in the playoffs” said Paul O’Brien, Maigh Cuilinn head coach. “Tipp Talons played excellent and really pushed us the whole way, and it was great for us to play a game like that leading into the playoffs” he added.

Tipp came up short again on Sunday as they completed their double-game weekend with an 88-75 loss to Scotts Lakers Killarney in Scoil Ruian, Eoin Carroll and Mikah Blackwell making a serious impact for the visitors as they totalled 51 points and 23 rebounds.

Despite losing out 85-71 to Joels Dublin Lions in Coláiste Bríde in their final game of the regular season, Drogheda Wolves still pipped Mater Private Malahide to a fourth-place finish in the North Conference after their Dublin rivals went down 95-82 at home to ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers.

Christian Simmons put up a game-best 30 points and took 13 defensive boards on his way to a total of 15 rebounds, but even that could not propel Drogheda to a winning finish to the regular season, Lions producing a big second-quarter surge, during which Aidan Igiehon hit 10 points on his way to a total of 28 on the night, with a huge 18 rebounds to boot.

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers pulled away down the stretch to see off Mater Private Malahide on Saturday, Xabi Arriaga and Eric Anderson linking up for a total of 42 points as the North Conference winners ticked off the first challenge in a double-game weekend.

Romonn Nelson and Evan Blackmon both provided weighty contributions to Malahide’s cause as they totalled 48 points, but the hosts still came up short in the end.

Portlaoise saw out the regular season on an impressive record of 20-2 after they turned in a superb defensive performance in the second half to beat Carrick Cruisers 85-71 in Phoenix Centre on Sunday.

James Phelan and Eric Anderson, together, served up 42 points, while Xabi Arriaga orchestrated 10 assists, as the Laois side restricted their opponents to just 17 points in the second half, Shamus Kahl, still managing to emerge with a haul of 29 for the hosts.

Limerick Celtics and Moy Tolka Rovers both broke the century mark on Saturday, the former running out 134-62 winners over Killarney Cougars in Crescent College, while Tolka carded a 105-85 success away to Team NorthWest in Foyle Arena.

Limerick had 40 points bagged by the close of the first quarter and finished the game with six players in double digits, including Finn Hughes on 28 points, along with a massive 22 rebounds and eight assists.

Despite Skakeil Bertrand amassing a hugely impressive 37-point haul for Team NorthWest, the homeside were still unable to topple Moy Tolka Rovers, for whom the scoring was less concentrated, with Emiliyan Grudov, on 28 points, one of their five players who reached double digits by the final buzzer.

Scotts Lakers Killarney ran out 97-85 winners over Limerick Sport Eagles in Killarney Sports & Leisure, Mikah Blackwell and Darnell Snyers tallying a huge 61 points and 18 rebounds for the hosts in the face of a strong test by their Limerick rivals, whose challenge hinged largely on the combined 55 points that Alexander Carlisle and Darragh Horkan chalked up.

It was a triple double for Michael Hayes, as he bagged 34 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for Titans in their 87-68 road win over SETU Waterford Vikings on Saturday night.

That impressive contribution, together with the combined 39 points from Michael Gormley and Matthew Sweeney propelled the Galway side to victory over their hosts, who still had four players in double figures, among them Osilama Oshiogwemoh on 19.

In Friday night’s clash between Ulster University and Carrick Cruisers in Jordanstown Sports Village, it was the latter who edged an 87-85 triumph, Shamus Kahl making a serious impact by way of the 34 points and 10 rebounds he carded for the visitors that helped address the 27 points and 12 boards Curtis Larousse took for Ulster.

 

In Dominos Women’s Division One, Limerick Sport Huskies pipped neighbouring rivals, Limerick Celtics to second place on their head-to-head record, as both teams picked up wins in their final regular season games.

Huskies emerged 74-47 victors from their clash with iSecure Swords Thunder in St. Munchin’s College, Scout Frame registering a double double with 28 points and 14 rebounds, while Delia Moore and Katie Black, between them, took 23 boards.

“We set a goal at the start of the season to finish in the top two and we achieved that goal” said a delighted Trevor Moore, Limerick Sport Huskies head coach.

“Swords had played really well last week against Rockets, so we needed a good performance to take the win. All focus now switches to the playoffs and our next goal of winning it all” he added.

Limerick Celtics choked off Moy Tolka Rovers’ last hope of finishing among the top eight after they beat their Dublin rivals 93-55 in Crescent College.

Shelby Harmeyer emerged from this tie with 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists, with Stephanie McBride and Amy Buckley teaming up for an additional 39 points and 19 rebounds.

That loss for Tolka effectively guaranteed a playoff spot for Oblate Dynamos, despite their 64-48 reversal at the hands of Templeogue in their closing game of the regular season on Saturday in Inchicore.

Heather Meagher put up 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Drimnagh side, but it was not enough to undo their neighbouring rivals, who benefitted from the 23 points and 10 rebounds that Genovea Johnson scooped on the day.

Table toppers, McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles completed their regular season on a perfect 16-0 record as they surmounted a tough challenge from Abbey Seals Dublin Lions 74-68 in Coláiste Bríde.

Rahmena Henderson, Emma and Ciara Tolan, between them, put up 52 points and 32 rebounds to help Cavan navigate their way beyond a severe test by their Dublin rivals, for whom Sofia Paska again delivered strongly with 21 points and 19 boards.

“Lions are always a tough match-up, and their league position this year does not do them justice” insisted John Stephens, McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles head coach.

“It was a great game, with tenacious play from both sides and we’re delighted to be on the right side of the result and looking forward to the playoffs next weekend” he added.