Titans BC win bragging rights over Maree in final seconds as Domino’s Men’s Division One Playoff race heats up

Maree could potentially fall from the summit to being level with sixth in the Domino’s Men’s Division One after they saw defeat against Titans BC in a 66-65 loss in the Galway derby.

Fortune Igbokwe was the leader and game-winner for Titans with 21 points, including the game-winning shot with 16 seconds remaining. Isaiah Taylor had a game-high 26 for Maree, but it wasn’t enough to get Maree over the line. The loss for Maree means they are now 8-4, with both Dublin Lions and Drogheda Wolves in action tomorrow to potentially go one ahead of them. For Titans, they are now 7-5 in the table and well in the mix for the playoff places as we approach 2026.

Limerick Sport Eagles have temporarily entered the top two in the Division One table for the time being with an 83-66 triumph over ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers. Eagles had two players with double-doubles, with Ryan Leonard scoring 15 and adding 10 rebounds, along with Tobias Christensen getting 13 points and grabbing 11 boards. For Portlaoise, Davin McEvoy and Amiri Stewart combined for 30 for the Panthers, but Eagles were ultimately too strong after taking a first-quarter lead that they would never surrender for the remainder of the game. Eagles are now 8-4 in second with all of the other 8-3 sides in action tomorrow, looking to overtake them.

SPK Utility Trust Lakers have also moved into the top three until at least Sunday after a convincing 76-64 win over Maigh Cuilinn in Galway on Saturday. Stephen Kelly continued his fine form for Killarney with 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. For Maigh Cuilinn, Grant Olsson continued to lead the way with 27 points, with the next nearest scorer being on nine points for the Galway side. The loss for Maigh Cuilinn leaves them at 5-7 and 12^th in the table.  

Team Northwest are now 0-12 after suffering a 24-point defeat at the hands of Carrick Cruisers on Saturday. Thomas DiRienzo continues to average close to 30 points in the league after a 24-point game for Northwest. For Cruisers, it was a team effort, with five players in double digits, with Tyler Mutemasango and James Aboaba leading Carrick with 15 points each. The win now moves Carrick up to 11^th in the table and keeps Team Northwest firmly at the foot of the table at 0-12.

Drogheda Wolves defeated Templeogue, 92-88, at Ballymakenny College.

A 28-point contribution from Sean McManus of Moy Tolka Rovers wasn't enough to overcome a strong Dublin Lions side, who defeated them 84-70 on the road. Liam Osinuga, Ignacio Folgeurias and Russell Marr all chipped in with equal points contributions for Lions, with 16 apiece.

Ulster University took the three points back with them on the M1 with a 94-93 road win against Malahide. With the score at 93-92 to the home with a matter of seconds left on the clock, the game hinged on a pair of free throws from Prince Ebwea - both of which he calmly converted to secure the win for Ulster. 

In Domino’s Women’s Division One, Templeogue kept pace with the chasing pack with a 76-67 victory over Dublin Raiders on Saturday. October’s player of the month, Sofia Paska, has continued her fine form into the Christmas period as she scored 27 points and added 19 rebounds for good measure. For Raiders, Dominique Mpesa and Mikayla Woods combined for 33 of Raiders' points. Still, Templeogue were ultimately too strong, winning the final quarter 21-12 after both sides were level after three quarters.

Moy Tolka Rovers defeated Abbey Seals Dublin Lions by a two-point margin, 87-85, with overtime required to split the two sides. Lions' Makenzie Helms scored a clutch three-pointer with three seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter to bring the game into overtime, but they weren't able to capitalise on the opportunity, narrowly losing by two points.

Table-toppers Cleveland Rockets defeated Swords Thunder on the road, 62-56. Emilie Rogers-Duffy and Georgie McGrath led the points scoring for Rockets, contributing 21 and 17 points, respectively. Katherine Kayce Vaile led the points-scoring in the game with 26 for Thunder, but it proved not enough.

National League newcomers Clunetech Kilkenny Stars continued their hunt to climb the ranks of the Domino's Women's Division One table with a 74-53 road win against University of Galway Mystics in Kingfisher. Stephanie Davis proved to be the key to unlocking the Mystics defense with a contribution of 25 points and 13 rebounds for Kilkenny.

Results

Domino’s Men’s Division One

Saturday 27^th December

Team Northwest 61-85 Carrick Cruisers

Titans BC 66-65 Maree

Maigh Cuilinn 64-76 SPK Utility Trust Lakers

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers 66-83 Limerick Sport Eagles

Domino’s Women’s Division One

Saturday 27^th December

Dublin Raiders 67-76 Templeogue