Limerick Celtics go top of Domino’s Men’s Super League with 88-69 win over Garvey’s Tralee Warriors

Limerick Celtics leap-frogged Limerick Eagles and Belfast Star to claim top spot in the Domino’s Men’s Super League after winning 88-69 against Garvey’s Tralee Warriors. Limerick Eagles suffered a 90-77 defeat to UCD Marian, and Belfast Star were stunned by tenth place EJ Sligo All-Stars in a 99-93 loss. Defending Domino’s Men’s Super League champions Ballincollig lost 84-74 in a Cork derby against UCC Demons, Energywise Ireland Neptune took a 90-84 win against Killester at the National Basketball Arena and St. Vincent’s lose their sixth game of the campaign against Griffith College Éanna. 

Limerick Celtics secured an 88-69 win against Munster rivals Garvey’s Tralee Warriors to bring their record to 5-1 for the season and fire to the top of the Domino’s Men’s Super League. Celtics began the contest with a high-scoring 27-point quarter, before taking a commanding 14-point lead into the second half. Limerick Celtics didn’t stop the onslaught there, as they outscored Tralee Warriors 22-14 in the third quarter, before eventually leading by 27 in the final period. Tralee Warriors attempted a late comeback and bridged the gap to 15, but Tony Hehir’s men closed the game out to win by 19 points on the road. 

Alec Millender claimed his first double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds for Tralee Warriors, but it was Limerick Celtics’ Philip Kearney that topped the scoring charts with 21 points. Limerick Celtics will travel south to face UCC Demons in round seven, while Garvey’s Tralee Warriors look to get back to winning ways against EJ Sligo All-Stars. 

Former league leaders Limerick Eagles suffered a 90-77 defeat to UCD Marian in Dublin, dropping the Munster side to second. Limerick Eagles controlled the first quarter and took a three-point lead into the second period; however, a strong 27-14 quarter for UCD Marian gave them the upper hand at half-time. Limerick Eagles clawed the deficit back in the third period to bring the game within one, but a UCD scoring onslaught in the final period led the home side to a 13-point victory. 

UCD Marian’s Isaiah Taylor hit the game-high 25 points, while also notching up 11 rebounds to pick up his second double-double of the season. Irish international Ryan Leonard topped the Limerick Eagles scoring charts with 17 points, as five other players also hit the double-digit points mark. UCD Marian will take on Dublin rivals Griffith College Éanna in round seven, and Limerick Eagles host Killester. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Basketball Ireland National League (@nationalleagueirl)

EJ Sligo All-Stars stunned Belfast Star in a 99-93 win at the Newforge Sports Complex, dropping the Belfast side to third. Although EJ Sligo All-Stars trailed by five at the end of the first quarter, they hit the ground running in the second to take a nine-point lead into half-time. Belfast Star went back in front after scoring a monstrous 31 points in the third quarter, but it was Sligo’s Ibbe Klintman who clinched the game for the Connacht side, scoring 17 points in the final period. Shane Bell scored a game-high 35 points for Belfast Star, as Irish international Rapolas Buivydas fired in 24 points. Belfast Star travel to Cork in round seven to face Energywise Ireland Neptune, while EJ Sligo All-Stars host Garvey’s Tralee Warriors. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Basketball Ireland National League (@nationalleagueirl)

Energywise Ireland Neptune took a 90-84 win against Killester in the National Basketball Arena, bringing them to 3-3 for the season. Neptune started quickly to take a six-point lead into the second quarter, before extending scoreline to 44-36 at half-time. Killester shot out from the blocks to outscore the visitors 30-19 in the third quarter; however, Jalen Hodge stepped up for the Cork side to produce an 11-point quarter and guide Neptune to a six-point victory. Sam Smith topped the scoring with 26 points, while also grabbing 13 rebounds, as Stefan Desnica and Josh Wilson combined for 45 points for the home side. Killester travel west to take on Limerick Eagles in round seven, as Energywise Ireland Neptune host third place Belfast Star. 

Defending Domino’s Men’s Super League champions Ballincollig lost their second Cork derby of the year, as UCC Demons walked away 84-74 winners. Ballincollig cruised to a 22-12 lead in the first quarter, before entering half-time eight points ahead. UCC Demons shot into life in the second, outscoring Ballincollig 49-31 to take home a ten-point victory. Asanti Price finished as the contest’s top scorer with 22 points, as Elijah Tillman racked up a double double. Irish international Adrian O’Sullivan clocked up 22 points for Ballincollig, while Alex Bellver claimed 14 points and 13 rebounds. Ballincollig face bottom of the table St. Vincent’s in round seven and UCC Demons travel to their Munster rivals Limerick Celtics. 

St. Vincent’s remain winless after six contests following their 89-82 loss to Griffith College Éanna. The sides traded score for score at the beginning of the game, before Éanna stretched the gap to six at the end of the first quarter. Vincent’s narrowed the deficit to three by half-time and even levelled the game in the fourth quarter; however, a flurry of Éanna free-throws saw them over the line. Scott Stone once again shot the lights out for the home side, notching up 30 points, as Morgan Taylor topped the Éanna scoring with 29 points. St. Vincent’s travel to defending champions Ballincollig in round seven, as Griffith College Éanna host Dublin rivals UCD Marian.