ESB Men's League
ESB Women's League
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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