With the women out of action this weekend due to internationals, it was a difficult weekend on the men’s side of the game, with Limerick Celtics struggling in the Super League.
Limerick Celtics went 0-2 this weekend with losses against St. Vincent’s and UCD Marian between Saturday and Sunday. William Thomas dropped a 31-point display in Limerick on Sunday as St. Vincent’s made it two wins in a row with a triumph over Limerick Celtics 90-84 in Crescent College.
Celtics only had four scorers in the entire game. Finn Hughes, AJ Williams and Abdul Wurie all scored at least 20 points. There will be significant worry for Vincent’s star Jaylyn Richardson, who had to be helped off late on. For Celtics, their maiden Super League season continues to falter as they fall to tenth in the table with a record of 2-6.
UCD Marian defeated Limerick Celtics 105-104 after triple overtime in Oatlands College. Marian started strong in the first quarter but still entered the second period down two to Limerick. As the second period wore on, UCD started to gain control and had a ten-point lead at half-time.
In the second-half, Marian made as much as a 16-point gap to Celtics, but a late run from Celtics through Zachery Hudson and AJ Williams managed to force overtime in Dublin.
Both sides only managed two points apiece in the first overtime period as we entered another overtime. With a 13-13 OT2, we entered one final extra period to decide the thriller in Dublin. Finn Hughes and Zachery Hudson both had 28 points across the game for Celtics. Yet it was Marian’s Tanner Graham who had 36 points and 16 boards and an efficiency of 41 who led the Dublin side to victory.
Joshua Reynolds added 21 for UCD Marian with 21-year old Sean Fitzpatrick nailing the winning free throws. Not before seven periods of action in Oatlands College. The win for Marian sees them enter the top five and get to a winning record of 4-3.
On a more positive note, Alex Carlisle ran the show for Limerick Sport Eagles with a 30-point display. It came in a 91-72 triumph over SPK Utility Trust Lakers in their sole Division One fixture of the weekend. Ryan Leonard continued his fine form with another solid 19 points. Carlisle had his mark left all over the court with his 30 points coming in just 34 minutes of action.
The victory for Eagles keeps them in a strong spot in the table sitting in sixth with a 5-3 record. They are currently level with both Dublin Lions and Moy Tolka Rovers above them. Eagles have a tough task in store next week as they head to Louth to face Drogheda Wolves, who sit in second and just one game off the league leaders Portlaoise Panthers.