Courtyard Liffey Celtics kept their unbeaten record alive this weekend and now sit proudly atop the Women's Super League. Although Ambassador UCC Glanmire ran this tight contest very close, the Celtic held out for an impressive 55-50 point win.
Looking good going into this Hula Hoops National Cup quarter-finals in the coming weeks, Fr Matthews are one team they could meet in this year's final. If Shannon Brady's performance this weekend was anything to go by, they'll be a threat for anyone.
Winning their second game in as many weeks, Brady was responsible for 26 points in Fr Matthews' 72-71 defeat of Pyrobel Killester on Saturday evening.
Elsewhere, Maxol WIT Wildcats picked up a 70-51 point win over Singleton SuperValu Brunell, while IT Carlow Basketball ran out 57-51 point winners over Marble City Hawks in their derby game. DCU Mercy breezed past NUIG Mystics this afternoon with a hugely impressive 81-25 point.
Meanwhile in the Men's Super League, Templeogue returned to winning ways with their 81-56 defeat of Dublin rivals, Pyrobel Killester. Speaking after this much-needed win, head coach Mark Keenan conceded that they had "really needed" the win.
"I'm absolutely delighted," Keenan stated.
"I’m delighted for the lads as, when you go through that bit of a poor spell, it gets in on you and everybody’s doubting themselves a little, but I think we really pulled it together tonight.
"The guys were on the mark and we were locked in defensively so I’m delighted - it gives us all a big lift. It’s a pity that we had to go through the last few weeks to get this performance, but I’m thrilled."
UCD Marian were another side happy to end the weekend with a narrow 76-73 defeat of UCC Demons. An incredibly tight game, UCD's head coach Ioannis Liapakis had some reasons for concern despite the win.
"I feel relief," Liapakis admitted.
"I’m definitely not happy with the way we played but the most important thing is the result - I’m really happy with that and relieved with how the game ended.
"A game like that is 50-50, both teams deserved to win. We showed our character tonight."
Meanwhile, Belfast Star retained their hold at the top of the game with a big 106-88 win over Moycullen.
Photo Credit - Martin Doherty
Basketball Ireland Results: November 17-18th
Basketball Ireland Men’s Super League:
UCD Marian 76-73 UCC Demons
Belfast Star 106-88 Moycullen
DCU Saints 86-68 Griffith College Swords Thunder
Pyrobel Killester 56-81 Templeogue
Keane’s Supervalu Killorglin 61-62 CandS Neptune
Maree 92-99 Garvey’s Tralee Warriors
Basketball Ireland Women’s Super League:
IT Carlow Basketball 57-51 Marble City Hawks
Pyrobel Killester 71-72 Fr Mathews
Ambassador UCC Glanmire 50-55 Courtyard Liffey Celtics
Maxol WIT Wildcats 70-51 Singleton SuperValu Brunell
DCU Mercy 81-25 NUIG Mystics
Basketball Ireland Men’s Division One:
IT Carlow Basketball 71-75 Portlaoise Panthers
LYIT Donegal 77-94 Bad Bobs Tolka Rovers
LIT 83-104 Tradehouse Central Ballincollig
Abbey Seals Dublin Lions 97-84 GameFootage.net Titans
UL Sports Eagles 71-89 Scotts Lakers St Pauls Killarney
DBS Eanna 88-83 EJ Sligo All-Stars,
Fr Mathews 109-100 Limerick Celtics
KUBS BC 87-69 Ulster University Elks
Basketball Ireland Women’s Division One:
Limerick Celtics 56-57 UL Huskies
Maree 65-60 Portlaoise Panthers
Trinity Meteors 58-57 Ulster University Elks
Swords Thunder 77-64 Fabplus North West
St Mary’s Castleisland 55-68 Phoenix Rockets
