National League

Oct 04 2026

Ballincollig begin title defence with two-point win over neighbours Limerick Celtics in Domino’s Men's Super League season opener

Ballincollig continued from where they left off in the Domino’s Men's Super League and took a two-point on the road against Limerick Celtics.

New signing Jay Buckley opened his Ballincollig account in style with 23 points, but it was Limerick Celtics’ Peter Turay who stole show, with his 16 points and 17 rebounds. Ballincollig took a seven-point lead in the first quarter, a deficit that was too large for the home side to crawl back from, as they continued to maintain the lead all the way to the final seconds.

Limerick Celtics looked to have Ballincollig on the ropes in the final quarter, as they outscored the previous Domino’s MSL winners by 19-12, but Alejandro Bellver’s three-pointer and Buckley’s converted free throw sent Ballincollig over the line.

Limerick Eagles took the largest win on the weekend in their return to Ireland’s top division, beating St. Vincent’s in Dublin 78-117. A first and third quarter blitz from the Eagles sent them on their way to victory, scoring 77 points over the 20 minutes. The young Irishman Darragh Horkan made a name for himself in Glasnevin, racking up 20 points, three assists and three steals, but it was Alex Carlisle who tipped the scales for the Eagles, scoring 35 points.

St. Vincent’s Kingsley Nwagboso notched up his first double-double of the season, but it wasn’t enough to help Mark Bodnar get his first win as head coach. St. Vincent’s will travel northbound next week as they face Belfast Star, who let a sure win slip through their fingers against Garvey’s Tralee Warriors.

After trailing by 18 points after the first quarter, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors flipped the script on Belfast Star to win 82-73 in the Kerry Sports Academy. A third quarter fightback from Tralee helped them outscore Star by 28-5, where the only scores for the Belfast side came through Conor Quinn and Jordan Green. Daniel Jokubaitis led the charge for the home side, scoring 11 points and getting two steals in the third quarter.

Adrian Fulton’s team gave it everything in the final quarter, scoring 25 points to Tralee’s 18, but the damage was done as Garvey’s Tralee Warriors walked away nine-point winners. Shane Bell’s return to the court came with a double-double performance, getting 12 points and rebounds, although it was Jaden Daughtry’s 26 points that got the crowd off their feet in Kerry.

UCD Marian got back to winning ways, executing a 105-93 win against Energywise Ireland Neptune. The Dublin side strode to a 20-point lead in the first half, but Neptune hit the ground running in the second half to reduce the deficit to nine points. UCD’s Isaiah Taylor and Liam Kinsella sealed the game in the final quarter, as they combined for 16 points and guided their side to a 12-point win.

Adam Drummond would have hoped for an easier start to the league in his first year as head coach, but the scoring power of Taylor and Tanner Graham pushed UCD Marian over the line. Energywise Ireland Neptune’s Jalen Hodge and Kendall Taylor truly introduced themselves to the league, scoring 25 and 22 points respectively, as they look forward to a home fixture against Limerick Celtics next week.

Killester escaped with a four-point win against EJ Sligo All-Stars in their opening fixture, defying a fourth quarter surge from the Connacht men. Mike Olson’s men maintained control of the game for the first 30 minutes; however, Henry Wilkin’s All-Stars woke up in the final quarter to outscore Killester by 26-11. Ultimately, William Thomas and National League veteran Josh Wilson proved to be the deciding factor between the sides, as Thomas clinched a 20-point game and Wilson bagged 16 points and nine rebounds.

EJ Sligo All-Stars will have the home advantage next week against UCC Demons, as they look to get back on track for a playoff spot, and Killester will host a Dublin derby against UCD Marian.

The Mardyke Arena was lifting with the return of UCC Demons, and the fans received a real show, as the Cork side ran away 100-83 winners against Griffith College Éanna. The return of Elijah ‘Baby Shaq’ Tillman was a major boost for Demons, as he notched up 34 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks in all-round performance. Griffith College Éanna couldn't keep up with Stuart Rodgers’ men, as Demons took the lead after three minutes, and remained on top for the rest of the contest.

Éanna will hope to get back to winning ways as they hist Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in round two, while UCC Demons make the long journey to EJ Sligo All-Stars in an effort to make it two-in-two.