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Britball.com Front
Killester march on as Tolka re-ignite women's race









ESB Men's League
Tolka Rovers 68 (27) 99 (57) O’Hagan Saints
P Boylan 18 27 S McGuirk
Brad Linder 17 22 C Doyale
Phil Rogers 14 13 K Donnelly
Stephen McGuirk was on top form for second placed O’Hagan Saints, and with the help of Karl Donnelly and John Kelleher, Tolka Rovers never stood a chance. The teams were even for the first five minutes, after which Vincent’s pulled away and never looked back. Tolka Rovers battled hard but were without brothers Mike and Owen Quill. Their newly signed American Brad Linder worked hard for Tolka, but O’Hagan Saints played a different league of basketball. 

Having secured a 30-point lead at half time, the Saints were confident going into the third quarter and the game quality decreased. Saints had an easy victory to maintain their position on the league table. 

Tyrone Towers 79 (38) 87 (45) Frosties Tigers
C Mason 23 31 R Turner
J Turner 20 22 R Leonard
JL Supervia 13 14 R Patterson
Despite their full bench scoring well, Tyrone Towers had to bend the knee to Frosties Tigers in a thrilling encounter before a packed house in Dungannon. Towers had the better of things in the first quarter and were up nine points at one stage. With three minutes gone in the second quarter, the Kerry side drew level, the first of ten occasions throughout the game that this were to happen. This game was a personal triumph for Robbie Turner who top scored with 31. 

The game was won and lost in the last two minutes when Tigers four baskets to go eight in front. In the same period, Towers hit the ring five times with no return for their efforts.

Hibernian UCD Marian  101 (53) 104 (55) 24 Connect Star of the Sea
K Ward 32 28 G Jackson
C Akers 23 25 G McGuire
G Edge 18 24 K McFarlane
In a high scoring game with little defense played on either end, Star shocked the crowd by defeating league hopefuls UCD Marian. The game was basket for basket throughout and the second half saw the lead switch hands on at least twelve occasions, with the difference never more than five points. Although victory could have gone either way, Gareth Maguire was the difference in the end, particularly in the last few minutes when Star upped the baskets. 
Big Al’s Notre Dame 85 (45) 91 (53) Neptune
Lester Hunt 22 31 Charron Watson
Lenny McMillan 19 21 Gordon Fitzgerald
Brandon Hughes 16 15 Stephen McCarthy
Big Al’s went into this crucial weekend without their key player and leader Anthony Jenkins, to make it a tougher task to overcome this strong Neptune side. 

As expected Neptune got out of the blocks quickest and with all their players shooting well they led by 27 points to 16 at the end of the first quarter. 

Big Al’s steadied themselves in the second quarter, and with 3.28 minutes on the clock Lenny hit a two and seconds later a turnover by Hughes allowed McEvilly to take another basket and bring Big Al’s within 7points of Neptune, 39-46. A series of successive misses by McCarthy, Watson and Downey gave Big Al’s opportunities to decrease the deficit and between Lenny McMillan and Tony McDonagh, the Neptune lead was steadily eroded to 8points, 45-53 going into half-time.

In the third quarter, superb defence by Nuno Silveiro restricted Charron Watson to just 5 points, and with 8 points apiece Lenny and Brandon Hughes assisted Lester Hunt on the boards. Three minutes into the third quarter a three pointer by McMilllan brought Big Al’s straight back into the game, and baskets from McEvilly, Hunt and Hughes made it a one point game with 4 and a half minutes left in the quarter. Another three pointer by the on-fire McMillan saw Big Al’s take the lead for the first time since the first quarter and a foul on Hughes allowed the point guard to stretch Big Al’s lead to 61-63. With three minutes of play left in the third quarter Mark Kenny came into the game and helped Big Al’s to a 71-69 lead at the third quarter.

Two minutes into the last quarter, a foul on Stephen McCarthy allowed him to even the sides, 75 a piece. Midway through the last quarter, Big Al’s were ahead by 5 points, but a big three pointer by Gordon Fitzgerald and some poor choices on the offensive end allowed Neptune back into the game. A foul on Lester Hunt with two minutes to go had him on the line for two free throws. Big Al’s were a point down when Hunt missed the two crucial shots. Fitzgerald made two lay-ups on the break and Hughes picked up his fourth foul to send Vince Daly to the line. It was all over for Big Al’s by now and Neptune went on to take a six-point victory 91-85. 


 
 
Abbey Foods Sligo 74 (32) 96 (46) Thorn Killester
C Holmes 25 34 J Leahy
I McMorrow 13 17 J Quigley
P Bree 10 15 E Jackson/ E Randolf
The sheer class of Cup holders Killester was too much for a struggling Sligo. John Leahy was superb and had a total of 31 points. A welcome comeback for Chad Holmes scoring 27 points with Ian McMorrow and Fergal Kelly playing well also. Scott McCarthy fouled out. 

 
 
Gleneagle Killarney  79 (38) 97 (55) Waterford Crystal
M Carter  23 33 D Shoultz
D Griffin 21 32 E Blair
T Smith 20 14 D Kavanagh
Waterford were always in control in this game enjoying a 23 point advantage early in the second half but a great rally by Gleneagle cut the gap to nine points as the game neared the end of the third quarter. However Gleneagle's hopes were well and truly dashed when American Maurice Carter fouled out with 9:30 remaining and Waterford's advantage was never really threatened after this. 

Gleneagle started positively and baskets from Shane Horgan and a Terry Smith three-pointer pushed them 10-6 in front after five minutes. However Waterford were equally impressive from three point land and with Dean Kavanagh, Damon Shoultz and Mike Norris all on target the visitors gradually got on top and led 23-19 at the end of the first quarter.

Further threes from Kavanagh and Shoultz extended the lead to ten points and Gleneagle began to fall apart with some dreadful passing and careless turnovers. The game was played a frantic and rushed pace throughout the second quarter with the visitors capitalising on the home side's mistakes. The shooting power of Damon Shoultz was the main difference between the sides as Waterford went on to lead 55-38 at half-time.

Blair and Kavanagh extended it to 65-42 after three minutes of the re-start and it looked all over for Gleneagle. However Carter, Smith and David Griffin went on a scoring spree and brought Gleneagle right back into contention as they cut the gap to 72-63 with 1:20 left in the third quarter. However Blair and Kavanagh kept Waterford in control to lead 76-63 as the game entered the final quarter.

Disaster struck for Gleneagle when Carter fouled out after 30 seconds. Waterford's lead was always safe after this and with Shoultz and Blair leading the way the visitors had 18 points to spare in the end. Waterford scored 11 three-pointers compared to just two from Gleneagle and this was also a very significant factor in the scoreline.


 
 
Esat Business Demons 95 (43) 99 (61) Burger King Limerick
T Carberre 35 32 J Kilroy
J Wiley 26 23 BJ McFarlane
B Clernon 22 13 Tommy Walsh
In an incredibly high scoring first quarter it looked like it was all over early on in the game for Demons when they trailed by 20 points at the end of the first quarter 39-19. Demons managed to bring it back to 18 points at half time and with superb offensive play by Tobe Carberre, the Cork side drew even with five minutes remaining (80-80). Brian Clernon fouled out with three minutes to go. Limerick then pulled ahead again and Demons managed to bring it back to a point with less than two minutes on the clock. Limerick held their nerve and managed a four-point victory. 

 
 
Tolka Rovers 119 (75) 89 (41) Abbey Foods Sligo
Brad Linder 37 30 C Holmes
Paddy Boylan 29 20 D Halbauer
Greg Haffner 15 13 M Daly
Tolka Rovers were up 37-20 at the end of the first quarter and things went downhill for Sligo for the remainder of the game. At one point Tolka stretched the lead to 40 points at which stage the bench was played, and they went on to take a comfortable 30-point victory. Tolka’s new signing Brad Linder lit up the court with many steals and great offensive play. Paddy Boylan for Tolka Rovers and Chad Holmes and Scott McCarthy for Sligo fouled out of the game in the last quarter. 

 
 
24 Connect Star of the Sea 94 (46) 81 (37) Tyrone Towers
G Jackson 21 33 C Mason 
K McFarlane 20 26 J Turner
G McGuire 19 13 JL Supervia
Great performances by both sides considering a double header. The first quarter was basket for basket, although Star set the pace for outcome, leading 21-20 at the end. The second quarter saw Star pull away, despite some outstanding play and dunking by Charles Mason. By the end of the third quarter, the game was over for Dungannon as Star held a 74-58 lead.
Hibernian UCD Marian 98 (45) 96 (46) Big Al’s Notre Dame
B Hughes 40 27 K Ward
    20 C Akers
    16 B Glover
With 3.5minutes gone in the opening quarter, Big Al’s were up by a point, when good work by Brandon Hughes allowed the team to pull ahead 13-8. A foul on Hughes allowed him to increase the lead to 15-8 with six minutes remaining in the first quarter. Barry Glover played a superb first quarter, and hit a three pointer to keep Marian in the game. Kevin Ward wasn’t so lucky, missing some vital jump shots. With 34 seconds remaining, Barry Glover hit another 3 pointer to make it 19-26. A steal by Kevin Meaney made it 21-26, while Hughes was unable to deliver on the free throw line, finishing the first quarter 21-26.

Chirs Akers came into the game in the second quarter, and took the first few baskets to make it 27-28. The rest of the second quarter was basket for basket, with Kevin Meaney back in form, and coming alive offensively. A foul on Ward midway through the quarter allowed him to make it 37-40 on the line. Alan Fearon then missed a shot but Ward tipped it in to make it a one point game. Lennie McMillan hit a few big shots, while three-pointers from Barry Glover and Alan Fearon kept Marian hot on the heels of Big Al’s. Big Al’s went into half time leading 46-45. 

The third quarter was basket for basket, until Big Al’s ran up a lead following a three-pointer from Ciaran McEvilly to make it 61-58. Baskets from Kevin Meaney and Kevin Ward levelled the game at 60 apiece. Tow consecutive fouls on Hughes and McMillan proved unfruitful for Big Al’s, with 0/4 on the line. Ward brought Marian into the final quarter leading 73-71.

Barry Glover opened the score I the final quarter putting Marian 75-71 ahead. Brother Paddy extended the lead to 79-73 after two minutes, but a big basket from Lester Hunt cut the lead to four points. With 6.50 on the clock, Hughes brought it back to a 3 point game, but with five minutes remaining Paddy Glover had once again extended the Marian lead 87-80. At this point it looked like Marian were to run away with it, but fouls on Paul Cummins and Brandon Hughes made it a five point game, 94-89, with 3.5 minutes to play. Nuno and Hughes made two baskets in a row and in a minute period Big Al’s had scored eight unanswered points bringing them right into the game. Chris Akers fouled Nuno, who made one from two on the free throw line to make it a one point game with 56 seconds remaining, 95-94 to Marian. With 28 seconds a foul by Cummins had Meaney on the line, who made 1 from 2 to stretch Marian’s lead 98-94. Hughes than missed a basket but Nuno tipped it in making it a two point game. A turnover by Big Al’s in the final seconds did not have the desired effect when Hughes missed a basket, the rebound went to Big Al’s and a three point attempt by Lenny came close to the basket, circled the rim and tipped out to give Big Al’s their second defeat of the weekend.

Waterford Crystal 87 (37) 73 (33) Frosties Tigers
E Blair 23 25 R Leonard 
D Kavanagh 18 17 R Turner
D Shoultz 16 16 R Patterson
The first quarter was basket for basket with Tralee leading 18-19 after 10minutes play. Damon Shoultz picked up four fouls in the first quarter and sat out the second and third. Even so, Waterford stretched a four point lead going into half time and held onto it throughout the third quarter. Tralee trailed 61-58 going into the last quarter, but brought it back to three points with 1.36 on the clock. For the remaining minute and a half, Tralee got into foul trouble allowing Waterford to stretch their lead to an 87-73 victory. 

 
 
 

ESB Women’s League
 
 
Tolka Rovers 75 (35) 68 (34) Bausch & Lomb Wildcats
Rachel Kelly 23 20 J Hayes
Sharon Kelly 14 10 C Whyte
Suzanne Maguire 10 9 T Nolan
In a splendid performance of basketball, Wildcats and Tolka Rovers were basket for basket throughout the game but it was the Dubliners who took victory to re-ignite the title chase. Leading by a point going into the third quarter, Sharyn Kelly went on a scoring run, while Wildcat’s Jillian Hayes picked up a couple of quick fouls. Hayes fouled out of the game before the end of the third quarter. Tolka took every opportunity once Hayes was benched and stretched a 12 point lead going into the final quarter. Christine Kiely fouled out in the last quarter and Tolka were never to lose their lead. 

 
 
University of Limerick 64 (32) 49 (28) Thorn Killester
C Fennell 22 13 S Brophy
M Aspel 15 12 L Grennell
J Murphy 10 11 G Ennis
 

 
University of Limerick 85 (32) 76 (41) Sasha Meteors
C Fennell 20 18 N O’Keeffe
M Aspell 17 17 C O’ Sullivan
J Murphy/ J Aherne 10 11 K Hennessy
University of Limerick took the lead at the end of the first quarter 25-19. Meteors brought the game back in the second quarter, with great work by Neassa O’Keeffe and Karen Hennessy. However the Limerick side proved too strong for Meteors, particularly the three-point shooting by Carol Fennell and Michelle Aspell. Limerick took the third quarter 66-57 and controlled the game throughout the second half. 

 
 
 
 


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