In a dramatic weekend of Nivea for Men’s Superleague action, DART Killester secured the Northern Conference with a win at home to Abrakebabra Tigers on Saturday, while Neptune emerged from their controversial clash away to DCU Saints with maximum points.
DART Killester coach Mark Keenan was delighted his side managed to overcome reigning league champions Abrakebabra Tigers on Saturday on a scoreline of 89-74, despite being without the injured Michael Bonaparte.
The Grenada born star is suffering with a stress fracture to his foot and could miss the remainder of the season. It’s a huge blow for the Dubliners, who are determined to end the season on a high after the disappointment of the National Cup.
‘It was a great performance, particularly having to play this one without Michael Bonaparte,’ said Keenan. ‘I am delighted for the players and the club to have something to be happy about given the disappointment of the cup loss a couple of weeks ago.
‘The only way we are going to get over the cup loss is by winning the league and we will be doing everything in our power to achieve that.’
Jim Grabowski was impressive for DART with 22 points, while CJ Hadley secured 28 points for the visitors.
Neptune have given their hopes of reaching the play-offs another huge boost by emerging from their fiery clash with DCU Saints with an 86-72 win.
Saints’ cause wasn’t helped by having three players disqualified but Neptune Head Coach Stephen McCarthy still felt his side deserved maximum points.
‘It was a very good game as Saints are fighting for that third place,’ said McCarthy. ‘We played some great defence and our Americans did all our scoring but our Irish guys can take all the credit for the win.
‘The referees had an influence on the game with a disqualifying foul on Mike Trimmer but I still felt we were in control and were worthy winners.’
Trimmer was disqualified with the Saints trailing 59-54 before the Donnelly brothers (David & Emmet) were sent to the line in the final quarter. Neptune only lead by four points with over one minute and a half remaining but pulled away in the closing stages with ten frees from the line.
UCC Demons have refused to let their guard down after winning the cup and secured yet another thumping 94-61 win away to Limerick Lions with Colin O’Reilly to the fore with 32 points.
‘The victory was a total team effort,’ said Demons Head Coach Douglas Leichner. ‘Colin O’Reilly (32 points and 10 rebounds) shot the lights out. He pulled up from behind the arc on the fast break with great confidence and drilled some tough shots. I was most impressed with his offensive rebound put back and the foul that dealt Limerick a fatal blow. Jerrah Young (31 points and 19 rebounds) punished the Lions all night. He had a great tip in off a missed shot that was a tremendous athletic play.
‘Jerrah (Young) also defensively held their post player to well below his point average. Ryne Hamblet (14 points, 4 assists and 4 steals) was too long and skilled for the Limerick guards.’
UCD/Marian are set for a play-off place after emerging from their trip to Ulster Elks with a 97-91 win. Conor Meany hit 22 points in the win for Cormac Connor’s side, while Matt Betley produced another high scoring display with 38 points.
In a high scoring first quarter, both teams broke the 20 point mark, ending the first 10 minutes 23 – 27 in favour of the visiting team.
Again both teams put on a fine display of basketball ability, though Marian did manage to extend their lead to 9 points.
With the game still within reach the Elks came out revitalised from the break, looking to overturn Marian in what would be their third win of the season, and second of 2009.
Despite losing the game in the end 97 – 91, the Elks put in another good account of themselves, showing a real improvement, not just from last season, but also over the course of this season.
UCD/Marian rounded off a perfect weekend with two wins in two days after a 75-73 win over HOOPS.
Marian held a slender 36-34 lead at the interval and went on to claim the points despite the best efforts of Jonathan Reed, who contributed a tally of 28 points for HOOPS.
Meanwhile, in Basketball Ireland’s Women’s Superleague, DCU Mercy remain top after an 84-63 win over Leisureworld Churchfield IONA.
Team Montenotte Hotel Cork and UL Aughinish are in close pursuit with wins over DART Killester (81-74) and Bausch & Lomb Wildcats (72-60) respectively.
Tolka Rovers’ hopes of reaching the play-offs remain intact after a 61-51 success at home to Meteors.
DCU Mercy have bounced back from their cup disappointment to leave them in pole position with Jill Martin (20 points) and Mary Fox (19 points) playing a big part in their latest win over Leisureworld Churchfield IONA.
UL Aughinish coach Sasa Punosevac was pleased after his title hopes remained alive after a 72-60 win over Bausch & Lomb Wildcats.
‘I am very proud of my players,’ said Punosevac. ‘They played tough on defence and were very astute. We had problems in the first half with defensive rebounding but we gained control in the second half.
‘This allowed us to get our fast break going and get vital scores. Our free throw scoring was good which helped us put the game away.’
