National League

Jan 15 2023

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors and Killester record statement InsureMyVan.ie Super League victories over National Cup finalists

As InsureMyVan.ie Super League action returned after a week hiatus for the National Cup semi-finals, both of next week’s finalists in University of Galway Maree (9-3) and DBS Éanna (9-3) fell to league defeats, while the race for play-off spots is finely poised.

A third win in succession has Killester in the hunt for a play-off spot, head coach Brian O’Malley admitted that it ‘certainly wasn’t a classic’, as his team edged out University of Galway Maree 58-56. The lead changed ten times in this tight game with Paul Dick heading the scoring charts with 16 points to hand the Dublin outfit their eighth win of the season.

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors exacted a bit of revenge on DBS Éanna after Darren McGovern’s side had previously knocked them out of the cup this season.

On a 74-66 scoreline, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors picked up a timely fifth league win of the season. Dre Jackson stepped up with an MVP performance, notching 24 points as John Dowling’s side led from the get-go in Tralee.

Speaking post-game, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors head coach John Dowling said: “Delighted to start 2023 on the right foot. Éanna are always a tough team to beat, had a few guys out but still happy we closed it out. We wish them and [University of Galway] Maree the best of luck next week in the cup final.”

Belfast Star are hot on the heels of the league leaders and they made sure they’re in the hunt come the business end of the season with a 90-81 triumph at home to Moycullen. Head coach Adrian Fulton said that the game went ‘as expected, with Moycullen playing well and really putting it up to us’, while singling out top scorer Shon Briggs (31), Max Cooper (24) and Max Richardson (20) for praise.

“Very pleased with the win tonight. The game went as expected with Moycullen playing well and really putting it up to us. We gave up 28 in the 3rd quarter which is way too many but the boys knuckled down in the 4th quarter and showed the character and composure that we need to win close games. Shon Briggs, Max Richardson and Max Cooper all had big games for us tonight,” said Adrian Fulton.

Also in the play-off spot mix, Emporium Cork Basketball bounced back from cup semi-final defeat to move to an 8-3 record, beating Griffith College Templeogue at home. Luke Thompson of the away side top scored with 26. Emporium Cork Basketball head coach Ciarán O’Sullivan said ‘Good bounce back win. Templeogue shot the lights out from three but we just got enough stops down the stretch to maintain our lead. We have some tough upcoming away games so we will need to keep up our consistent performances.”

MJ Randolph has proved to be a gem of an acquisition for UCC Demons head coach Daniel O’Mahony, as he top scored once again with a 22-point tally to give the Cork side their eighth victory of the season against UCD Marian, leaving them primed for a play-off run. Speaking after the game, O’Mahony said he was ‘extremely happy with the guys and how we stuck to the game plan. Jonathan Jean is a big player, so we focused on him and my guys did a great job carrying out the assignments.”

Bright St. Vincent’s are still looking for their first win since November after Energywise Ireland Neptune took home the spoils on a 104-72 scoreline. Josko Srzic’s side were depleted without the influential Stefan Zecevic, Donovan Fields shot superbly to end up with 37, but it wasn’t enough to overcome an eager Energywise Ireland Neptune who led from the first score to see them move to a 7-5 record.

Speaking after the game, Energywise Ireland Neptune head coach Colin O’Reilly said: “Glad to get out of Dublin with a win. The first quarter performance set the tone for us and after that it was about maintaining discipline and stopping Vincent’s from making big runs. We had good contributions across the board and got to see players returning from injury play with confidence which was another plus.”

EJ Sligo All-Stars’ have won six and lost six after Saturday’s 101-81 win against Flexachem KCYMS. Head coach Shane O’Meara praised the collective effort of his team throughout the performance. “It was great to get such a good team performance tonight. We had early foul trouble and our bench really stood up and put us in a great position by half time. The spread of scorers for us was impressive but we played great defence for the most part. I was especially happy for the fans who have stuck with us despite some disappointing home results. The gym was packed tonight and that's great for the club and the game locally.”

In a repeat of last week’s cup semi-final, Trinity Meteors were once again victorious over DCU Mercy, bringing them clear at the top of the MissQuote.ie Super League before The Address UCC Glanmire’s game on Sunday. Meteors head coach Niall Berry said it was ‘an absolute battle’ as they expected after winning this contest on a 68-53 scoreline.

The Address UCC Glanmire duly obliged when given the chance to join Trinity Meteors. Head coach Mark Scannell said University of Galway Mystics gave them a ‘really good test’ in the 91-68 victory as his side made it 10-1 for the campaign.

“Galway gave us a really good test today, they’re greatly improved, and Paul is a very good coach and deserves great credit. We played in patches, scored 91 and were very good with our upcourt pressure defence and in transition offensively but we must be better in the half court both ends if we are to be serious about winning this league. We are delighted that our spread of scoring is better, and our bench was very productive today, and all that without Annealise who’s an important player for us,” Scannell said post-game.

Waterford Wildcats bounced back from cup semi-final defeat with a last-gasp 89-88 win over i3PF Fr Mathews to move to a 6-5 record. Sarah Hickey got the all-important last score in her 36 point tally, while Karli Seay scored 25 of her own.

“After another titanic battle we are thrilled to get the win at stages in the game it looked like we were dead and buried but the girls stood up and pulled us through. With any game, there are things we obviously can improve on giving up 88 points in our home gym will need to be looked at but overall I was delighted to our application in the game. It's highly disappointing to lose a cup semi-final and the player reaction tonight was super. We know we have improving to do but are eager to put in the work to get there, said head coach Tommy O’Mahony.

National Cup finalists Killester had the ideal preparation for next week’s final as they fought hard for a 79-72 victory over Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics, a win that puts them in good stead for a run at the play-off spots. Chyna Latimer top scored for Killester with 20. Head coach Mark Grennell was full of praise for the opponents.

“Important win. Karl [Kilbride] has those girls playing well and we had to be excellent in the second half to pull out the win. We will recover now and focus on the final for Sunday.”

The poor run of form for Singleton SuperValu Brunell continued as Ulster University took the spoils in their third win of the season on a 78-72 scoreline. Edel Thornton (32) and Emily Maupin (34) led the way in terms of scoring.

Speaking after the game, Ulster University head coach Patrick O’Neill said: “Really happy with the performance, it was a real team win with everyone getting in the scorebook but Emily was a standout. She was very efficient for us and had a season high shooting performance. [Singleton SuperValu] Brunell are a quality side and it was a game of runs - Edel was immense and is such a tough player to guard. We were able to get some stops and push on in the fourth, but credit to Brunell they made it tough and played to the end.”

InsureMyVan.ie Division 1

Dwyers’ of Cork Fr. Mathews recorded a crucial 85-81 InsureMyVan.ie Division 1 victory over table toppers Limerick Sport Eagles to put themselves back in the mix. Moy Tolka Rovers are setting the pace at the summit on ten wins after an 85-74 win over Abbey Seals Dublin Lions. Team North West picked up their third win of the season, beating high-flying Drogheda Wolves 81-68. Conor Harkins starred for SETU Carlow with 34 points, but they narrowly lost out 101-99 to Scotts Lakers St. Paul’s Killarney. A fast start from Portlaoise Panthers gave them their third victory of the season against Malahide, winning 83-65. Following their InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup semi-final, Ulster University picked up the 82-48 win against a luckless Killarney Cougars. On Sunday, Joshua Reynolds scored 41 points as Limerick Celtics got an 86-79 victory over SETU Waterford Vikings.

MissQuote.ie Division 1

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles look to be the team to beat in this year’s MissQuote Division 1, they won their eleventh game with 89-59 victory against Moy Tolka Rovers. National Cup finalists Phoenix Rockets picked up where they left off in the cup, beating Swords Thunder convincingly 88-41. Abbey Seals Dublin Lions recorded their fifth win of the year with a win over Limerick Celtics, winning on an 84-66 scoreline. Griffith College Templeogue beat Oblate Dynamos 74-59. St. Paul’s Killarney were buoyed by 39 Yuleska Ramirez Tejeda points as they overcame the challenge of Limerick Sport Huskies 98-68. SETU Carlow recorded a narrow 57-55 victory over Marble City Hawks.

Results:

InsureMyVan.ie Super League

Saturday, January 14th

Emporium Cork Basketball 87-75 Griffith College Templeogue, Ballincollig CS

Belfast Star 90-81 Moycullen, De La Salle College

Bright St. Vincent's 72-104 Energywise Ireland Neptune, St. Vincents CBS

UCD Marian 52-84 UCC Demons, UCD Sports Centre

University of Galway Maree 56-58 Killester, Kingfisher Gym

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 74-66 DBS Éanna, Tralee Sports Centre

EJ Sligo All-Stars 101-81 Flexachem KCYMS, Mercy College

InsureMyVan.ie Division 1

Saturday January 14th

Ulster University 82-48 Killarney Cougars, Jordanstown Sports Village