National League

Mar 23 2025

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers among those to reach Domino's Division One Playoff semi's

For the first time in their club history, ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers will take their place in the Domino’s Men’s Division One playoff semi-finals after they dug out an 82-73 victory over Maigh Cuilinn in St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday night, while in Domino’s Women’s Division One, Limerick Sport Huskies and Limerick Celtics will lock horns in the last four after they recorded home wins over Templeogue (70-59) and Abbey Seals Dublin Lions (79-66) respectively.

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers secured their place in the Domino’s Men’s Division One playoff semi-finals for the first time ever after they prevailed 82-73 in a hard-fought clash with Maigh Cuilinn in St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday night.

The Galway side whittled down a 20-point gap in the third quarter to just two almost midway through the fourth, but the North Conference winners refused to buckle and pushed on down the stretch thanks to buckets from Eric Anderson, James Phelan and Davin McEvoy who, between them, totalled 62 points.

“At this stage of the season, it's just about winning basketball games” insisted Jack Scully, Portlaoise Panthers head coach.

“While there’s parts of the performance I wouldn't be happy with, we're delighted to reach the playoff semi-finals for the first time in the club's history” he added.

The Laois side will now take on Moy Tolka Rovers in the last four, after the Dublin outfit survived a fourth-quarter surge by Titans to win out 100-91 in Ballinfoyle Castlegar Centre.

Tolka had opened up a 20-point advantage by the close of the third and secured further passage through to the penultimate rounds despite Titans recouping 11.

Mike Wallace’s 30-point haul, along with the combined 41 from Emiliyan Grudov and Daniel Ayoade played a big part in helping the visitors surmount their Galway hosts, for whom Michael Hayes bagged a game-best 32 points.

In the early tip-off on Saturday evening, Ulster University battled back from 14 points down in the third quarter to edge Scotts Lakers Killarney 70-66 in a thrilling quarter-final in Jordanstown Sports Village.

Solid shooting by Conor Liston (16), Nathan Karren (15), Curtis Larousse (13) and Robert Graham (10) went a long way to seeing Ulster survive Killarney’s challenge, which was fuelled largely by the 35 points that Mikah Blackwell and Eoin Carroll totalled.

“It was a great performance by our team in the quarter-finals against well-prepared opponents” remarked Eduardo Macho, Ulster University head coach.

“The team's heart is immense, proving it again by overcoming a 14-point deficit. I’m very proud of the effort in our final home game of the season” he added.

Limerick Celtics are the only South Conference team remaining in the hunt for this season’s Domino’s Men’s Division One title, the top seeds and President’s National Cup winners copper-fastening their place in playoff semi-finals after they emerged comprehensive 112-71 winners over Drogheda Wolves in Crescent College.

While Drogheda’s Christian Simmons did finish up top scorer on 32 points, Limerick still had just too much firepower for the visitors, with Finn Hughes and Abdul Wurie both finishing on double doubles, as they combined for 48 points and 24 rebounds.

Domino’s Women’s Division One, will serve up a mouthwatering playoff semi-final derby after both Limerick Sport Huskies and Limerick Celtics secured further passage through to the last four on Saturday.

Limerick Sport Huskies came through a tough test from a tenacious Templeogue to emerge 70-59 winners in St. Munchin’s College on Saturday night.

Down by 17 at the half-time recess, the Dublin side cut the gap to seven with just under four minutes remaining as Hannah Murphy took her game tally to 23 points.

But Delia Moore pocketed some important points from the free-throw line down the stretch to keep the visitors at bay, as she and Scout Frame both finished up on 14, with Orlaith Woods on 17.

“Templeogue really put it up to us and we had to dig deep, tidy up our offence and get more disciplined on defence to keep hold on the game” admitted Trevor Moore, Limerick Sport Huskies head coach.

“We got there in the end and now head for our fourth derby of the season to see if we can make it on to the finals weekend in Dublin” he added.

A huge second-quarter turnaround saw Limerick Celtics chalk up a 79-66 success against Abbey Seals Dublin Lions in Crescent College on Saturday evening.

Outscoring their Dublin rivals by 29 points in that second period, Limerick took command with Stephanie McBride and Shelby Harmeyer both emerging on a double doubles as they totalled 30 points and 24 rebounds, while team mate, Amy Buckley put up 21 points, just two shy of the game-high 23 that Tara Nevin delivered for the visitors.

“It was a fantastic team win, and having four players scoring in double digits was a major factor” stressed Jordan Hehir, Limerick Celtics head coach.

“We played excellent defence and the young girls came off the bench and made a huge impact.

“We’re delighted with the win and we’re now focusing on the challenge of Huskies next week which will, no doubt, be a great game” he predicted.

Cleveland Rockets maintained their pursuit of the Domino’s Women’s Division One crown after they recorded a 72-51 quarter-final triumph over iSecure Swords Thunder in ALSAA on Saturday evening.

Outscoring their hosts by 13 points in the third quarter went a long way to earning Rockets a semi-final berth, Megan Ormiston and Georgie McGrath, again, having a strong impact on proceedings as they combined for 44 points and 22 rebounds.

“Swords put it up to us in the first half, but the third quarter was the difference” said Breda Dick, Cleveland Rockets head coach.

“It was a really good team performance. Megan Ormiston was outstanding in the game, along with Georgie McGrath and Caitlin Gloeckner” she added.

That results sets them up for a meeting with top seeds, McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles who were already assured a semi-final berth ahead of the weekend, as their quarter-final opponents Oblate Dynamos were unable to fulfil their fixture due to injuries and player unavailability.

Results

Domino’s Men’s Division One (playoff quarter-finals)

Saturday March 22nd

Ulster University 70-66 Scotts Lakers Killarney

Limerick Celtics 112-71 Drogheda Wolves

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers 82-73 Maigh Cuilinn

Titans BC 91-100 Moy Tolka Rovers

Domino’s Women’s Division One (playoff quarter-finals)

Saturday March 22nd

McEvoys Cavan Eagles 20-0 Oblate Dynamos (Walkover awarded to McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles)

Limerick Celtics 79-66 Abbey Seals Dublin Lions

iSecure Swords Thunder 51-72 Cleveland Rockets