Basketball Ireland’s National League returned this weekend with the four Limerick sides getting their campaigns underway.
The Treaty quartet were looking to build on the successes of last season with three out of the four making the playoffs as the Limerick Celtics claimed the Division 1 title.
MissQuote.ie – Women’s Division 1
The opening weekend kicked off in the Treaty City with Limerick Sport Huskies in a home debut against Moy Tolka Rovers on Saturday at 6pm in UL Arena.
New signing Scout Frame impressed with 33 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists leading the Huskies to a 72-57 win.
An exciting new look for this Huskies team after a disappointing 2022/23 season which saw them finish at the bottom of the Southern Conference.
Limerick Celtics Women’s team made their mark during the opening weekend, facing Marble City Hawks at home in Cresent College on Sunday.
Three new faces got their Celtics’ career off to a winning start as American signings Samantha Coleman and Kyah Steiner as well as Spain’s Ana Parra made their debuts against the Hawks.
An 85-54 win for Celtics saw them run away with the game inside the first half. Irish international Lucy Devoy impressed with 16 points and 6 rebounds while Samantha Coleman finished as the games leading scorer with 28 points.
InsureMyVan.ie – Men’s Division 1
Celtics Men’s team were on the road to SETU Waterford Vikings, a tough away fixture to start their title defence. After some back-and-forth action in the first quarter, Vikings pulled away to a 12-point lead.
Rallying in the third quarter, Celtics went on a 21-6 run only for the game to be abandoned at 51-49 to Celtics due to the unsafe conditions of the court, which was deemed unfit for the athletes to continue.
Mike Hood finished with 16 points and Juan Blanco was close behind with 10 points. Celtics will be hoping to top last year’s achievements which saw them win the regular season and be ranked number one going into the playoffs.
Last year’s playoff finalists Limerick Sport Eagles started their season facing new National League side Galway Titans at 6pm in Knocknacarra.
New signings Kaelan Coats and Da’Kquan Davis notched 31 and 37 points respectively, leading the Eagles to their first win of the season 100-82. A great start for the Eagles as they hope to recapture the form that took them to the finals.
Upcoming Fixtures
Limerick Sport Eagles vs Scotts Lakers Killarney Saturday 7:30pm Killarney Sport and Leisure Centre
Limerick Celtics Men vs SETU Carlow Sunday 3:15pm Cresent Collage
Limerick Celtics Women vs St Pauls Killarney Saturday 4:30pm Killarney Sport and Leisure Centre
Limerick Sport Huskies vs Marble City Hawks Saturday 7pm O’Loughlin Gaels GAA club
