THE Double-Double winning teams of UL Eagles and Huskies returned to All Ireland Basketball action last weekend. Reigning Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague champions, UL Eagles came back from a 13 point deficit at half time to win with a buzzer beater over Bord Gais Neptune on a score line of 72-74.
Although the game had an exciting finish, UL Eagles started the game very sluggish. The second quarter seemed the most difficult for them as they struggled to close the gap with the Cork team. Speaking about the game, head coach Mark Keenan admitted, “We made life difficult for ourselves and did not play well in the first half. We lacked composure.”
Keenan continued, “During half-time we got it together and started the second half with determination. At one stage we went from being 13 points down to 9 points ahead. The guys put in great work to get back in the game. Unfortunately, we didn’t maintain this lead by missing free throws that we should have put away. The game came down to the last possession and Taylor hit the shot on the buzzer. We were lucky.” Although the Limerick side came away victorious Keenan declared, “I am happy with the win and leaving Cork with two points but I am not happy with our overall performance.”
Meanwhile in the Baskeball Ireland Women’s Division one, UL Huskies played their opening game against St. Mary’s of Castleisland which was a great game of basketball. R. Fitzgerald and K. Murphy were the top scores for UL but unfortunately they didn’t take home the win. Next week sees the girls travel to take on the Oblate Dynamos in their first away game in Dublin.
This weekend UL Huskies Superleague team returns to action. This side contains Rachael Vanderwal. Rachael is co-captain of the UL Huskies Super League team and played for the GB Team in London Olympics this year. There will be a chance for fans to meet Rachael at the first home game of the season on October 6 when the UL Huskies take on Killester Dublin in what will be a fantastic opening game.
The mens senior team will face Killester on the same night at 19.30.
