National League

Dec 11 2022

Belfast Star turn the tables to join league leaders University of Galway Maree, The Address UCC Glanmire victorious over DCU Mercy

In an interesting week of match-ups in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League, there was a big win for Belfast Star, as they joined their opponents at the top of the standings alongside DBS Éanna, while reigning champions Tralee Warriors got back to winning ways on the road against Bright St. Vincent’s.

Belfast Star flipped the script after losing out to University of Galway Maree in last week’s cup quarter-final. Adrian Fulton said he was ‘very pleased’ with the way his team bounced back against ‘formidable force’ University of Galway Maree, who were without Joe-Junior Mvuezolo who left Charlie Crowley’s side since last week’s game. It was the seventh win of the season for Belfast Star, with five players in double figures, as Max Cooper led the way on 19 in the 86-62 victory.

🥶 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬.

After @UGMareeBball were victorious in last week’s cup quarter-final, @BelfastStar64 switched it up against them this week. Adrian Fulton’s outfit put on a show, winning the contest 86-62. #BISL // #BITV pic.twitter.com/TlBRR04lcJ
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) December 10, 2022

“Very pleased with the response of the players after the disappointment of being knocked out of the cup last weekend. [University of Galway] Maree are still a formidable force despite losing Joe Junior and a road win was just the tonic. Everyone contributed other than Darragh Ferguson who we were trying to mind before the U20 quarter final on Sunday.

“We had five in double figures which is always encouraging. Max Cooper led us with 18, Conor Quinn controlled the team very well and Conor Johnston gave us scoring off the bench. Oisin Kerlin and Liam Pettigrew also showed how they can really help us. Overall, a good night for us but we will have to be ready to go again next weekend,” said Belfast Star head coach Adrian Fulton.

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors head coach John Dowling labelled the win on the road over Bright St. Vincent’s ‘a total team performance’ as the reigning InsureMyVan.ie Super League champions got back to winning ways with a convincing performance to get the better of Bright St. Vincent’s on a 93-77 scoreline. Buoyed by the 32 points of Daniel Jokubaitis, the Kerry side made sure of the win with a 28-11 period in the second quarter. Donovan Fields impressed for the home team with 29 points in defeat.

“We had a good two weeks of preparation. We knew Bright St.Vincent’s would be a serious test of our defence and we are happy with the improvements we have made on that end of the floor. A total team performance. Got a big win on the road and we are looking forward to Templeogue next week,” said Garvey’s Tralee Warriors head coach John Dowling.

 Back to winning ways, Garvey's Tralee Warriors.

DBS Éanna dug deep against Moycullen to take home the points at a frosty Coláiste Éanna, edging out the low-scoring contest 74-63. Moycullen’s Grant Olsson headed the scoring charts with 27 points of his own. The win brings Darren McGovern’s side to seven league wins this season, but the head coach praised his side for digging deep in the latter stages.

“It was a very scrappy affair to say the least. We struggled to find any flow all game. Again we went into the fourth quarter needing a good performance and we managed that down the stretch.” said DBS Éanna head coach Darren McGovern.

EJ Sligo All-Stars travelled to Energywise Ireland Neptune with a point to prove following their loss to UCD Marian in their last league game, but Shane O’Meara’s side were up to the task, coming from behind to take the spoils 87-82. The newly-promoted team led by 11 at the break and although Energywise Ireland Neptune rallied late on, EJ Sligo All-Stars kept them at arm's length with Gregory Poleon top scoring for them with 17. Roy Downey and Xabier Arriaga top scored with 19 in defeat.

 EJ Sligo All-Stars head coach Shane O'Meara

Speaking after the game, EJ Sligo All-Stars singled out Jamie Hayes for praise.

“Really proud of our guys. It was a great bounce back from an embarrassing loss against UCD. We battled a few injuries during the week, but the guys came ready to play. We had a great start tonight with Jamie Hayes finding great form. Our bench brought great energy on both ends of the floor. We felt we matched up well with Neptune and that proved to be the case. It was a dog fight down the stretch and I'm glad to have finished on the right side of it!”

UCC Demons got their fifth league win of the season after beating Griffith College Templeogue 107-93 on the road. Head coach Daniel O’Mahony was ‘delighted’ to bounce back after a ‘tough few weeks’ for his team. The 33 point scoring exploits of new signing MJ Randolph was a welcome addition for the Cork side. Luke Thompson scored 25 in defeat for Griffith College Templeogue.

“Delighted to get a road win, It was a tough last few weeks with multiple injuries and playing without our American over the last few games, but we welcomed MJ Randolph in this week and had a great Demons Debut scoring 33 points and fitting into our system right away,” said Daniel O’Mahony.

Flexachem KCYMS were convincing winners over UCD Marian to secure their third win of this year’s InsureMyVan.ie Super League. Beating the college side 115-70, the damage was done early as they went in with a 13 point lead after the first quarter. Robert Alan Kelly Jr was in scintillating form for the Kerry side clocking up 39 points.

 Robert Alan Kelly Jr, 39 points for Flexachem KCYMS

“Good overall team performance against UCD Marian. Worked hard the last few weeks and the lads got their rewards. Onto next week now with University of Galway Maree down in Killorglin, so it would be nice to go into the Christmas break with a win that sets us up for the second half of the year.”

In the MissQuote.ie Super League, both teams at the top of the tree showed no signs of slowing down this week after the short break from league action.

The Address UCC Glanmire head coach Mark Scannell was ‘delighted’ with his team’s performance in their 73-55 victory over DCU Mercy, their seventh of the season. Scannell highlighted the well-rounded team performance with five players in double figures. Brittany Byrd led the way with 15 for the Cork side, while Lindsey Abed and Rachel Huijsdens contributed with 16 points each for DCU Mercy.

 Rachel Huijsdens, 16 points for DCU Mercy.

“Delighted to get the win. Defensively we were very good, we had five players in double figures also, which augurs well. We need to get ready now for [Waterford] Wildcats next week. Great team performance and a really good week of practice, so all good,” said The Address UCC Glanmire head coach Mark Scannell.

Alongside The Address UCC Glanmire, Trinity Meteors are proving they’re up to the task to challenge for this year’s MissQuote.ie Super League title. Meteors head coach Niall Berry praised the opponents style of play, as his side triumphed over Ulster University, winning the contest 86-67 for their seventh win of the league season. The 26-8 third quarter was the difference between the sides as Meteors showed their class. Emily Maupin of Ulster University top scored with 26, while Celena Taborn clocked up 22 for the victors.

Dayna Finn player of the month for November presented with her award by Shane from @BballIrl @trinity_meteors pic.twitter.com/iYMcaweDGm
— Meteorsbasketball (@meteorsbb) December 10, 2022

Speaking after the game, Trinity Meteors head coach said: “Very happy with our performance in the second half tonight as we had a real back and forth battle with Ulster throughout the first.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the way Ulster play the game. They really score the ball well and at half-time we knew we were in a battle. Our girls adapted well in the third quarter and finally managed to take control of the game which I was very pleased to see. Delighted with the performance and the win.”

Elsewhere, in the Cork derby, i3PT Fr. Mathews secured the bragging rights over Singleton SuperValu Brunell, edging out a competitive game 82-72. Their third win of the season came at an important time for Niamh Dwyer’s side with Shannon Brady leading the way on 23 points. Irish international Edel Thornton led the way in defeat with 28 points.

 Niamh Dwyer

“This was a big win for us. We knew Brunell are a tough side that pushed all the way. It was a good team performance which is what we needed after last week. We now will look to prepare for Killester next week and back up the performance heading into the Christmas break,” said i3PT Fr. Mathews head coach Niamh Dwyer.

Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics got their fourth win of the campaign, surviving a late flurry from Waterford Wildcats to take the 87-79 win. Karli Seay of Waterford Wildcats top scored with 29 points, while Irish internationals Ciara Bracken and Áine O’Connor both scored 19 for Karl Kilbride’s side.

Killester are due to take on University of Galway Mystics at 18:00 on Sunday.

In the InsureMyVan.ie Division One, Limerick Sport Eagles moved to nine wins at the top of the division with an 88-73 win over SETU Waterford Vikings. November Player of the Month Manny Payton top scored for the Limerick outfit with 19, while Freeman Brou led the way with 26 points in defeat.

🦅 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝟗-𝟏.

The impressive start to the season for @LmkSportEagles continued as they beat @WIT_Basketball 88-73 to sit at the top of @InsureMyVan_ie Division One.

📸 Aleksey Bodrov #BID1 // #BITV pic.twitter.com/nnqN2jaD2o
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) December 11, 2022

Keeping up with them at the top are Moy Tolka Rovers who beat St. Paul’s Killarney with a 102-91 victory on the road. Irish international Matt Treacy was at the top of his shooting game, ending up on 41 points. John Ferguson’s 38 point tally for the Kerry side wasn’t enough to give them the win.

Ulster University had a strong third quarter to ensure their win over Abbey Seals Dublin Lions on a 78-69 scoreline. Conor O’Sullivan top scored on 29 points.

Limerick Celtics had a convincing victory over Killarney Cougars on a 106-53 scoreline. Scott Angus-Hankin top scored with 29 points.

Drogheda Wolves are another team who will be in the mix between now and the end of the season. They moved to seven wins with a narrow 76-74 victory over Portlaoise Panthers as Tiago Dos Santos Pereira led the way on 23 points.

In the MissQuote.ie Division One action, McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles were deserved 67-38 winners against Swords Thunder to move them to an 8-1 record. Alarie Mayze was the standout performer with 29 points.

8 and 1!!!🏀🏀🏀🏀

Great win today in the @missquoteie National League
McEvoy's Cavan Eagles 67@SwordsBball 38

Welcome Mr John Feehan, CEO @BballIrl , Mr John Paul Feeley, Cathaoirleach @cavancoco and Mr Brendan Jennings, Director of Services @cavancoco to our Club. pic.twitter.com/ENTuWILnpL
— East Cavan Eagles (@EastCavanEagles) December 11, 2022

The sole unbeaten record across the National League was maintained as Portlaoise Panthers started on the front foot to beat Oblate Dynamos 93-60. It was Jessica Fressle who headed the scoring charts with 27 to bring them to an 8-0 league record.

Moy Tolka Rovers (7-2) are also a force to be reckoned with in this grade. They secured a narrow victory on the road against Abbey Seals Dublin Lions, beating them 55-48. Katrina Allene Rienfeldt top scored on 21 points.

Limerick Sport Huskies showed their class in an 81-53 win over SETU Carlow. The consistent Scout Frame scored 27 in defeat, while Sophie Moore clocked up 21 for the Limerick side.

Limerick Celtics were also in fine form this weekend, getting the better of Marble City Hawks 78-37 on the road in their fifth victory of the season. Alexandra Navarette led the way with 27 points.

Phoenix Rockets were narrow winners against Griffith College Templeogue, edging out the 83-80 win. Clark Calisha top scored with 30 points for Rockets in their sixth win of the season.