Three of the four Limerick sides competing at the weekend emerged victorious from their games
By Siadbh Redmond
The latest action in the InsureMyVan.ie and MissQuote.ie Division One leagues saw Limerick’s basketball teams, including both Celtics variants, rack up impressive numbers in strong victories.
InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Division One
Limerick Celtics faced a huge challenge on Saturday night hosting recent National Cup finalists Moy Tolka Rovers in a top-of-the-table clash. At a packed Crescent Comprehensive, Celtics got off to a flying start with shots from Josh Reynolds and Seamus Hickey, but the Dublin side were quick to respond with the game being levelled countless times.
Conor Liston and Michael Bonaparte both impressed for Tolka, but in a very tight game of basketball, the home side came away with 83-78 win to see them go to the top of the Men’s Division 1 table. Celtics face Malahide away next weekend.
Top Scorers:
Limerick Celtics: Josh Reynolds (31), Scott Angus (28), Miles Felletti- O’Donnell (13)
Moy Tolka Rovers: Michael Bonaparte (16), Conor Liston (13), Daniel Ayoade (11)
Limerick Sport Eagles also enjoyed a home game on Saturday against newly crowned National Cup winners Ulster University. This was another hugely tight affair with both teams fighting for National League playoff spots. The game was filled with impressive attacking basketball. Ulster’s Conor O’Sullivan drained 39 points for his team, but the Eagles’ newly signed American Brendan Barry outscored him, putting up a huge 45 points. After overtime, Eagles won out 98-87. The Limerick Sport Eagles now face a long trip to Donegal next weekend to face Team Northwest.
Top Scorers:
Limerick Sport Eagles: Brendan Barry (45), Jason Killeen (15), Jack Coyne (12)
Ulster University: Conor O’Sullivan (39), Nathaniel Shafer (16), Adan Ryan (11)
MissQuote.ie Women’s Division One
Limerick Celtics Ladies had a comprehensive win against Swords Thunder to place them sixth in the table. The Celtics were ahead from the outset gaining huge momentum in the first quarter. Allie Navarette scored 24 points for the home side with Aishling Sullivan for Thunder scoring 25. Although the top scorer in the game played for the Thunder, the match was a rout, ending 88-56 in favour of the Limerick side. The Celtics face Oblate Dynamos next weekend.
Top Scorers:
Limerick Celtics: Allie Navarette (24), Shonte Hailes (18), Lucy Devoy (17)
Swords Thunder: Aishling Sullivan (25), Tia Kelly Stevens (12), Peggy Black (10)
Limerick Sport Huskies were the only Treaty side to lose this weekend experiencing a tough 75-54 loss to Moy Tolka Rovers on the road. Sophie Moore continued to shine for Huskies, scoring a further 18 points for her side. Rovers Faatimah Amen Ra and Shelby Cheyanne Cheslek drained a total of 57 points between them, outscoring their opponents. Huskies, now at the bottom of the table have a home game to look forward to next weekend against Abbey Seal Dublin Lions.
Top Scorers:
Moy Tolka Rovers: Faatimah Amen Ra (31), Shelby Cheyanne Cheslek (26), Claire O’Brien (6)
Limerick Sport Huskies: Kristina Collins (20), Sophie Moore (18), Megan Buckley (7)