ONLY TWO OUT OF THE FOUR LIMERICK BASKETBALL SIDES REMAIN UNBEATEN AFTER THE SECOND ROUND OF FIXTURES LAST WEEKEND.
InsureMyVan.ie Division 1
Limerick Celtics 96 – 73 SETU Carlow
The Limerick Celtics played host to Carlow at the Crescent College with their clash taking place last Sunday.
The visitors started on the front foot with the Celtics finding themselves down 18-10 with five minutes gone in the first quarter.
However, the Celtics rallied behind substitute Cian Gleeson who brought some much-needed offence and energy and managed to tie the game 25-25 by the end of the first.
Disaster struck in the second for the reigning champions when starting Irish guard Eoghan Donaghy was ejected from the game. Luckily, Mike Hood and Justin Motley picked up the slack putting in an impressive performance and guiding the Celtics to a seven-point lead at the half.
The second half of the game was dominated by the Celtics’ Spaniard Juan Blanco, who appeared everywhere on the court all at once and guided the side to a comfortable 96-73 victory, maintaining their 100% start to the season.
A great win for the Celtics who head into next weekend’s fixtures with great momentum where they will face their local rivals, the Eagles, in the Limerick Derby.
Limerick Sport Eagles 89 – 98 Scotts Lakers Killarney
A tough away fixture saw the Eagles fall to the Scotts Lakers in Killarney on Saturday evening.
A tight game throughout, with both teams neck and neck until the fourth quarter where the Scotts Lakers pushed ahead and increased their mere three point lead to seventeen after just six minutes.
Americans Kealan Coats and Dakquan Davis certainly impressed, combining for fifty-eight points between them, but it wasn’t enough to get them across the line.
The game ended 98-89 in favour of the Kerry side, who recovered well from their week one defeat to SETU Carlow.
On the other hand, Eagles’ coach Matt Hall will be disappointed with the result after such a strong performance against Galway on the opening weekend, but will have already have his eyes fixed on the 14th of October as they take on the Celtics at home.
MissQuote.ie Division 1
Limerick Celtics (W) 58 – 47 St. Paul’s Killarney
Celtics women’s team picked up their first loss of the season after a tough battle with St Paul’s Killarney in a low scoring affair which saw the visitors take home a 58-47 win.
Great inside play and hustle from St Paul’s centre Lorraine Scanlon, who notched 18 points and 24 rebounds, stretched the lead against the Celtics who never managed to get ahead of their opponents.
The Celtics can take some positives from the defeat however, as their core of Irish player looks to be getting more accustomed to playing alongside each other but will need to be on top of their game next weekend when they face local rivals Sport Huskies.
Marble City Hawks 61 – 73 Limerick Sport Huskies
On the other hand, the Sport Huskies continued their unbeaten run following a 73 – 61 victory over Marble City Hawks at the weekend.
The hosts pushed into an early lead after a slow start from the Limerick side, leading by eight after the first quarter.
Huskies hung around and fought back and managed to close the gap to two points heading into half-time and took control of the game in the third quarter, taking the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the game.
A valiant effort from the Hawks at the start of the fourth proved too late as the Huskies on and saw out the victory.
Coach Trevor Moore will be happy with his team’s performance but will shift his focus onto the Limerick derby in a week’s time.
Upcoming Fixtures
Limerick Sport Huskies vs Limerick Celtics (W) 5pm Saturday 14th of October in UL Arena
Limerick Sport Eagles vs Limerick Celtics 7pm Saturday 14th of October in UL Arena