Killester and Ballincollig book place in Domino’s Men’s Super League final

Killester and Ballincollig will contest the Domino's Men's Super League final on April 12th. Killester overcame a resilient Belfast Star 80-76 and double-chasing Ballincollig secured their place in the decider following a 98-77 over Griffith College Éanna.

Killester are into their second Domino's Super League final in a row after beating what was a spirited performance from Belfast Star, 80-76,  in the IWA on Saturday afternoon. Josh Wilson, Paul Dick and Robert Braswell combined for 58 points for Killester. For Star, Roger Wilson scored 18 points, Shane Dezonie had 18 and Irish international Rapolas Buivydas had 16, with Buivydas taking in seven boards for good measure too.

Killester's Josh Wilson and Shane Dezonie of Belfast Star during their Domino's Men's Super League semi-final. Photo credit Martin Doherty Photography.

Killester - seeking a first Men's Super League title since 2013/14 - looked to be cruising at one stage, leading by as much as 13 in the second quarter, however a second half comeback from Belfast Star meant there was just four points separating the sides at the final buzzer. 

Killester head coach Jonathan Grennell said: “ A win is always earned in this league and a win in the playoffs counts as double, if not treble. Star in fairness, never gave up. We gave them a couple of haymakers in the first half, but they just kept coming back.”

Number one seeds Ballincollig enjoyed a 98-77 win over Griffith College Éanna on Saturday to remain on course for a league and cup double, having claimed the Domino's MSL National Cup title in January. Latavious Mitchell continued his string of strong games with a 23-point, 17-rebound performance alongside Adrian O’Sullivan, who had 21 points for the evening.

Early on the Ballincollig defence struggled to deal with Éanna, with Neil Lynch scoring 15 of his 18 points in the opening quarter. Éanna would end the first quarter up five points, at 23-18. Ballincollig came roaring back in the second period, Adrian O’Sullivan scoring nine points and missing just one shot in the entire quarter, giving Ballincollig a six-point advantage heading into the break with the score at 41-35.

The second half was more of the same from both sides, with Ballincollig asserting more dominance as the game wore on, O’Sullivan and Mitchell had 28 points combined in the second-half on their way to a 21 point win.

There was a substitute error during the second quarter by Ballincollig, spotted by table table officials and rectified after one passage of play lasting less than two seconds. The National League Committee (NLC) subsequently ruled that the error had no material bearing on the overall result. Read the full statement here.