The highly anticipated meeting of defending champions UL Eagles and pre-season title favourites C&S UCC Demons in Basketball Ireland’s Men’s Premier League lived up to its billing at the weekend as only two points separated the sides, with the visitors from Cork leaving victorious.
Described as a “dog-fight” by Demons head coach, Colin O’Reilly, a stirring second-half comeback from Eagles fell just short on a night when their new American, Delwan Graham, poured in 29 points.
Earlier in the night, Belfast Star shocked most pundits with a convincing 66 to 78 win away from home against DCU Saints, the northerners’ first win since re-entering the top flight of Irish basketball this season.
Elsewhere in the Men’s Premier League, Killester edged out a dramatic win in their Dublin derby game against UCD Marian while Bord Gais Neptune ran out easy winners against Moycullen in Cork.
The weekend in the Women’s Premier League saw a dramatic overtime contest between Liffey Celtics and Team Montenotte Hotel. After Celtics missed a last second shot to win the game momentum swung in favour of Montenotte and the Cork side travelled home with the eventual spoils on a scoreline of 64 to 74.
Meanwhile, defending champions UL Huskies continued their red-hot start to the season with a 102 to 61 victory over Meteors while both Singleton SuperValu Brunell and WIT Wildcats enjoyed wins over Ulster Rockets and Killester respectively.
Men’s Premier League Game Reports
UL Eagles 75 (31) v C&S UCC Demons 77 (31)
Two heavyweights of the Irish game clashed Saturday night in the UL Sport Arena as pre-season favourites C&S UCC Demons went head to head with defending champions UL Eagles.
“It was a dogfight,” remarked Demons player coach Colin O’Reilly after his team scrapped their way to a hugely important 75 to 77 win on the road.
“That fourth quarter wasn’t pretty but it really doesn’t matter how much you win a game like on that road by, it only matters that you win it.”
Eagles started the game like true champions, jumping out to a lead while the pretenders to the crown struggled to keep pace. Demons settled quickly after that however and by mid-way through the 3rd quarter, had established a double digit lead.
“After that we lost all of our tempo,” said O’Reilly.
“Their shooters really got hot and Neil Campbell and (Julian) O’Keefe made a run of great shots on the trot that pulled them right back into it.”
After holding on through that less than pretty final quarter for an impressive early season win, O’Reilly was happy to leave Limerick with 3 points earned along with some food for thought.
“You definitely learn more from close games and we know we have to improve. We have seen just how intense other teams play and we have to be able to match that for the full 40 minutes.”
UL Eagles 75 (31) (D Graham 29, S Kinevane 11, N Campbell 10) C&S UCC Demons 77 (31) (L Colbert 18, C O’Reilly 12, K Hosford 10)
DCU Saints 66 (37) v Belfast Star 78 (44)
A young and daring Belfast Star team earned an audacious road win in Dublin Saturday night as they proved too good for DCU Saints, winning 66 to 78.
Star made the headlines this off-season with their signing of former Barcelona and Dynamo Kiev coach Jose Maria Berrocal as their head coach, a move that looks like it is paying dividends already.
“We are a young team, and maybe not the best talent in the league, but we are playing tough and will only get better as the players learn my mentality better,” said Berrocal shortly after the game.
After losing only narrowly to 2013 cup champions Bord Gais Neptune the previous weekend, this win by Star is sure to draw a lot of attention across Irish basketball, particularly from those who may have thought they would be easy pickings having only re-entered the top flight this season.
“I don’t know about finishing in the top half but we will be improving all the time and I think be better the second half of the season. This was a key game and we learned a lot, having a very good third quarter that probably was the winning of it.”
DCU Saints 66 (37) (P Lynch 17, E Darling 14, A Markarenko 14) Belfast Star 78 (44) (P Dick 17, F Otis 16, C Johnson 11)
Dublin Inter 69 (36) v Templeogue 65 (32)
Despite having a rotation of just seven players, Dublin Inter head coach Sarunas Cesnakaus was smiling after his side’s game against Templeogue courtesy of a gutsy 69 to 65 win at home.
“I am so proud of all of these players. They just leave everything on the court. We had a lot missing tonight for one reason or another and some of the players played for all 40 minutes,” said Cesnakaus.
Led by always outstanding combo of Mindaugas Tamusauskas and Aurimus Statkus (who combined for 38 points and 18 rebounds), Inter’s win will send a clear message that the team are not happy with last season’s low placing in the table.
“It is great to get the first win. Next week we have everybody back and the plan is definitely to finish the season in the top four,” said Cesnakaus.
Dublin Inter 69 (36) (A Statkus 24, M Tamusauskas 14, G Trakauskas 14) Templeogue 65 (32) (D James 21, L Thompson 17, P Taylor 9)
With such a great history between them, the meeting of UCD Marian and Killester is always likely to entertain and Saturday night’s matchup was no exception.
Two late dunks from Killester American Michael Bonaparte decided what was a thrilling contest, in favour of the visitors.
“It was tight all the way through,” said first year Killester head coach Jonathan Grennell.
“Every time we thought we were in control it seemed like Conor Meany came down and nailed a big three for them.”
While Meany finished the game with 23 points, game honours went to Killester guard Isaac Westbrooks, who finished the game with 31 points while finding the energy to hold high scoring Marian shooter, Eoin Chubb, to just five points on the far end.
Along with Bonaparte’s 30 points, the pair did enough to lead their team to a second straight victory to start the season and a place atop the Men’s Premier League table alongside Bord Gais Neptune, who they play next week.
UCD Marian 87 (48) (C Meany 23, K Foley 15, T King 12) Killester 93 (46) (I Westbrooks 31, M Bonaparte 30, M Westbrooks 15)
Bord Gais Neptune 88 (44) v Moycullen 68 (40)
Bord Gais Neptune recovered from a mid-game shooting bonanza by visitors Moycullen to notch their second win of the season and join their opponents next week, Killester, at the top of the Basketball Ireland Men’s Premier League table.
Speaking after the match, which finished up 88 to 68 in favour of the Cork club, Neptune head coach Mark Scannell was quick to give the visitors credit.
“This was not a 20 point game. Moycullen came down and played really well and it was a ding-dong battle for large stretches. Ronan O’Sullivan, for a guy in his first road Premier League game, was un-guardable at times for them and their American (Mike Callaghan) did really well,” said Scannell.
Despite this however, when the game was in the balance in the third and fourth quarter, Neptune stepped up their defensive intensity and shut down Moycullen’s scoring threats, allowing them to push out to the eventual 20 point winning margin.
“We are still carrying a lot of injuries with guys so to have gutted out two wins now to start the season is fantastic and we can look forward to what is going to be a massive test against Killester next week,” said Scannell.
Bord Gais Neptune 88 (44) (D Townes 27, M McGinn 22, R Downey 13) Moycullen 68 (40) (M Callaghan 19, D Cunningham 12, S O’Brien 12)
Women’s Premier League Game Reports
UL Huskies 102 (56) v Meteors 61 (30)
Riding high on a wave of confidence following an impressive win in week one over DCU Mercy, defending league champions UL Huskies sent out another clear message Saturday night to all pretenders to the crown with a convincing win over Meteors of Dublin.
Led by an inspirational 31 points from centre, Aoife McDermott, Huskies raced out to an early lead and never looked back. Ahead 35 to 10 after the first quarter, they stifled repeated Meteors attempt at a comeback to win 102 to 61.
“We definitely carried in a lot of confidence from last weekend’s win against Mercy and had a very good first quarter,” said Huskie coach James Weldon.
“Credit to Meteors however, they could easily have thrown in the towel after that but really battled hard and gave us some real problems before we finally put it away.”
UL Huskies 102 (56) (A McDermot 31, R Clancy 26, R Vanderwal 14) Meteors 61 (30) (S Fogarty 14, K Ganser 13, K McDaid 7)
Liffey Celtics 64 (31) v Team Montenotte Hotel 74 (35)
It took overtime to finally separate Liffey Celtics and Team Montenotte Hotel before the visitors from Cork emerged 64 to 74 victors.
After a winless season in 2012-13, Celtics are a much improved outfit this time around and showed, by going toe to toe with 2013 cup finalists Team Montenotte Hotel, that they are now a side to be reckoned with.
“There was never more than seven between us and they actually had the last shot of regulation,” said Montenotte head coach, Paul Kelleher.
“With (Irene) Sanchez in there, who is a fantastic player and Erin Bracken playing well, they have real talent in the team.”
Looking at his own team’s performance, Kelleher was glad to be able to rely on a competitive reserve his players found when faced with a surprise overtime situation away from home.
“The atmosphere in the gym was great and both teams were feeding off that energy. Everytime we had pushed away a little, Celtics would nail a three and bring it right back.
“Credit to the girls, they started the overtime with huge intensity and never looked back. It maybe shocked Liffey a little bit, as they had started all previous periods far the stronger.”
Liffey Celtics 64 (31) (S Smith 24, E Bracken 13, A O’Connor 11) Team Montenotte Hotel 74 (35) (E Harmon18, N Dwyer 15, C Rockall 14)
Singleton SuperValu Brunell 70 (41) v Ulster Rockets 55 (32)
In the 2012-13 season, a young Singleton SuperValu Brunell team finished mid-table but failed to record wins over Ulster Rockets or Killester in the regular season. Two weeks into the 2013-14 campaign and they sit tied for first place with UL Huskies and wins over both Rockets and Killester in their rear view mirror.
Speaking after his team’s impressive display against Rockets Sunday afternoon, Brunell head coach Kieran O’Leary praised his team’s growing maturity.
“We always took good options on the offensive end and while the biggest gap was about 14, we never really let our lead slip lower than 8 or 9 nine points which was crucial.
O’Leary went on to single out the “great performance” put on by his side’s top scorer, Celia Menendez who led all players with 31 points in the contest.
“We are definitely aiming at a top four finish by the end of the season,” said O’Leary.
Singleton SuperValu Brunell 70 (41) (C Menendez 31, A Waters 12, E Thornton 12) Ulster Rockets 55 (32) (K Shields 21, B Waters 12, H Fairbairn 10)
WIT Wildcats 70 (37) v Killester 57 (19)
WIT Wildcats got their season off to the perfect start with a win over Killester at home in convincing fashion. Led by a 24 point performance from their new American player, Rachel Roberts out of Villanova University, Wildcats proved too strong for the travelling Killester outfit.
“We got out of the blocks fairly lively and managed to keep our distance from them for rest of the game,” said Wildcats head coach, Tommy O’Mahony.
“We played some great defence in the second and third quarters to hold them to a low score but probably let the foot off the pedal a bit towards the end.
“Still, we’ll happily take the win, especially in our first game, which is always anxious because you don’t know what to expect.”
WIT Wildcats 70 (37) (R Roberts 24, S O’Shea 15, N Mullally 13) Killester 57 (19) (C Bond 17, A Sullivan 12, A McGuire 8)
Basketball Ireland Weekend Results
Saturday, October 12th
Men’s Premier League
Dublin Inter 69 (36) (A Statkus 24, M Tamusauskas 14, G Trakauskas 14) Templeogue 65 (32) (D James 21, L Thompson 17, P Taylor 9)
UCD Marian 87 (48) (C Meany 23, K Foley 15, T King 12) Killester 93 (46) (I Westbrooks 31, M Bonaparte 30, M Westbrooks 15)
DCU Saints 66 (37) (P Lynch 17, E Darling 14, A Markarenko 14) Belfast Star 78 (44) (P Dick 17, F Otis 16, C Johnson 11)
UL Eagles 75 (31) (D Graham 29, S Kinevane 11, N Campbell 10) C&S UCC Demons 77 (31) (L Colbert 18, C O’Reilly 12, K Hosford 10)
Women’s Premier League
UL Huskies 102 (56) (A McDermot 31, R Clancy 26, R Vanderwal 14) Meteors 61 (30) (S Fogarty 14, K Ganser 13, K McDaid 7)
Liffey Celtics 64 (31) (S Smith 24, E Bracken 13, A O’Connor 11) Team Montenotte Hotel 74 (35) (E Harmon18, N Dwyer 15, C Rockall 14)
Men’s Division One
Fr. Mathews 70 (36) (S Cantwell 12, P O’Driscoll 11, C Milo) JM&L Auctioneers Titans 79 (45) (C Christopher 19, P Pelzdius 11, T Jabriciuss 11)
Portlaoise Panthers 53 (28) (S Danson 22, G Dunne 15, k Donogue 8) Tolka Rovers 58 (28) (D O’Byrne 13, P Caffrey 10, P Kenny 10)
Maree76 (40) (C O’Hagan 23, K Hansberry 21, L Conroy 9) Team Left Bank Kilkenny 49 (15) (L Summers 22, D Rabat 8, P Brennan 8)
Swords Thunder 82 (42) (A Zurn 23, K Anderson 12, K Lacey 9) C&S Blue Demons 54 (29) (S Duggan 14, L O’Mahony 10, L Carmody 7)
Women’s Division One
Tralee Imperials 48 (14) (S Mackessy 13, E Shwerwood 11, A O’Mahony 9) NUIG Mystics 58 (29) (M McGaughern 19, L Murray 15, H Coen 12)
Team Tom McCarthy’s St. Mary’s 45 (20) (L Scanlon 12, D Dunlea 12, E O’Connor 6) Portlaoise Panthers 52 (27) (C O’Sullivan 15, S Nihill 10, M O’Sullivan 8)
Men’s U18 National Cup
St Paul’s 35 (18) (D O’Sullivan 19, J Foley 5, C Culloty 4) Limerick Lions 71 (34) (D O’Shea 24, D O’Connell 18, A Madden10)
Sunday, October 13th
Men’s Premier League
Bord Gais Neptune 88 (44) (D Townes 27, M McGinn 22, R Downey 13) Moycullen 68 (40) (M Callaghan 19, D Cunningham 12, S O’Brien 12)
Women’s Premier League
WIT Wildcats 70 (37) (R Roberts 24, S O’Shea 15, N Mullally 13) Killester 57 (19) (C Bond 17, A Sullivan 12, A McGuire 8)
Singleton SuperValu Brunell 70 (41) (C Menendez 31, A Waters 12, E Thornton 12) Ulster Rockets 55 (32) (K Shields 21, B Waters 12, H Fairbairn 10)
Women’s Division One
Oblate Dynamos 104 (48) (A Crowley 15, A Keech 11, K Moloney 11) IT Carlow 49 (26) (A Hayden 23, H Dunne 14, M Dunne 5)
Men’s U20 National Cup
UCD Marian 62 (38) (M Ryan 19, R Nedrevks 13, T Nkoala 10) Kestrels 44 (27) (O Boyle 10, A Whelan 7, J Byrne 6)
Men’s U18 National Cup
Sligo All-Stars 95 (47) (P Hamilton 29, C Lally 19, M Chambers 19) Dublin Lions 55 (31) (M Sabic 26, C Healy 6, O Dowling 6)
