11890 Killester 84- UCD Marian 81
3rd Quarter
11890 Killester 55- UCD Marian 61
Half Time
11890 Killester 37- UCD Marian 40
One of the big winners of the weekend in the NIVEA For Men Superleague were 11890 Killester who despite leading by 22 points in the first half were taken to overtime before beating Bord Gais Neptune 97-96 in front of a packed house at the IWA as Darren O’Neill told us.
“We were due a win in a game like that, we were up by at least 20 in the games against Star, DCU Saints, Moycullen and Neptune earlier in the season but failed to hold on. Last night Neptune really showed what they are made of in the third and fourth quarters and young Roy Downey really hurt us at times. We still have a huge amount to learn, we are a young side, but if we perform we are good enough to be there or thereabouts” said O’Neill.
“Having Pete (Madsen) back a week early was massive and his 21 point contribution including the winning free throw was immense, Jermaine’s (Turner) massive 45 that included 16 in the first quarter was fantastic and Mike’s (Westbrooks) three pointer to bring the game to overtime brought the crowd to its feet”
“We have UCD Marian on Tuesday at home but they have a new American Owen O’Malley and it won’t be easy but we have to go in and win” said O’Neill.
The 1987 ICS Cup winning team Premier Milk Toppers as we were then were paraded at half time to the music that they came out to all those years ago “Word Up by Cameo”
Mark Grennell’s girls are holding on to the fourth spot in the NIVEA Women,s Superleague as they beat Liffey Celtics 80-39.
“This win was important as we look towards securing a home quarter final in the league playoffs”.
“We played very well last night and it was nice to have all twelve players scoring. Louise (Gray) did a great job when she came in in the first quarter and scored a quick 10 points. We have been preaching intensity in practice and that is what I saw on Saturday”
“We are now looking forward to next weeks game against DCU Mercy and we will give it our all”
The action continues this evening in the NIVEA for Men Superleague with a repeat of the 1987 ICS CUP Final 25 years on between 11890 Killester and Bord Gais Neptune at the IWA in Clontarf.
The 1987 team and management will be guest’s of honour for the game in the IWA.
Killester’s Pete Madsen is still out and is a big loss as Mike Westbrooks told the Irish Daily Star.
“Unfortunately Pete is still out and he is a huge loss, he will definitely miss tonight against Bord Gais Neptune and Tuesday against UCD Marian but hopefully he will be OK for the Moycullen and Saints games and that is crucial as we need to go into the play offs on a winning streak”
“I am very confident going into the Neptune game even though they are on a very good run and if we can finish the regular season on a winning streak I see no reason why we cannot win the Nivea for Men Superleague”.
Neptune coach Mark Scannell is also looking forward to a visit to Clontarf. “We have 11890 Killester and DCU Saints in Dublin and I think we need at least one win out of those two games to ensure we maintain the pressure on UCC Demons in the Southern Conference.
“Jermaine (Turner) has been a big thorn in our side this season and it’s important we keep close tabs on him. “
Mark Grennell’s preparations have been hampered for the game against Liffey Celtic’s due to a bad dose of flu but the coach is hoping that his team can get the win that will keep them in pole position for the play-offs.
“It is a very important game for us and one that we have to win if we are to achieve our goal of making the final four”
DK. It has been a bit of a topsy turvy season so far.
MW “Nobody gave us a chance at the start of the season because we lost so many players through college commitments, retirement and emigration and although it has been a bit up and down we believe that we can still win the title”
DK How are the new guys settling in ?
MW “We are basically a new team with a new coaching team of Darren and Tom and the new guys are still figuring out their roles but we are not far short of being a good side and we are already guaranteed a home play-off semi final”
DK How do you see the rest of the season panning out ?
MW “We have four games left agaiunst Bord Gais Neptune, UCD Marian, Moycullen and DCU Saints but we need to achieve consistancy. Saturday is a crucial one against Neptune and it is one we have to win because realistically we could play them later on the the tournament and it is important the we go into that 2-1 up”
DK What is the latest news on Pete Madsen's injury ?
MW “Unfortunately Pete Madsen is still out and he is a huge loss, he will definitely miss Saturday against Bord Gais Neptune and Tuesday against UCD Marian but hopefully he will be OK for the Moycullen and Saints games and that is crucial as we need to go into the play offs on a winning streak”
DK Are the team close to achieving what you set out to do for the season ?
MW “When Darren took over, we set out our stall and to win a trophy was part of that, we were so unlucky to lose in the cup semi final against UL Eagles and through inconsistancy we have lost games that we were coasting in so that is something that we must put right”
DK Do you honestly think you can win the championship ?
MW “I am very confident going into the Neptune game even though they are on a very good run but we are at home and the place will be packed. If we can finish the regular season on a winning streak and as we have a home semi final I see no reason why we cannot win the Nivea for Men Superleague”.
Julie Kavanagh and Caroline Flynn
presenting a defibrillator to
Grainne O Dwyer of Glanmire
on behalf of the Joe Kavanagh foundation
before last weekend's WSL game
Robbie Clarke coaching at local schools
Belfast Star put a huge dent in 11890 Killester Nivea for Men conference title hopes when they came from 19 down to win 112-109 in double overtime in Belfast as Danny Fulton explains.
“We couldn’t score in the first quarter (21 to 3 points down) but Paul Cummins started hitting shots and we began to get back into the contest, we played good defence on Jermaine Turner (45 points) with a lot of his points coming from the free throw line. It was a great game for the crowd and a great advertisement for the game.”
Darren O’Neill was up against his old team and was disappointed that they gave away such a big lead
“We just should not be doing this, it is not the first time, we did it against DCU Saints and UL in the cup. We wanted that win so much and with Saints losing in Cork you can see how important that game was”
In the Nivea women’s league, Hotel Montenotte Glanmire beat 11890 Killester 57-48. Glanmire coach Cormac O’Donoghue was full of praise for Mark Grennell’s side.
“Normally when we hold a team to 23 points in the first half we would expect to have more points ourselves but they would not back down,” said O’Donoghue. “Killester have shown great quality this season and they really make it difficult for teams.
Mark Grennell was so happy with his sides display, “We were short players as was well documented but the girls gave their all and I would have to say we were a little unlucky”
Nivea for Mens Superleague
Belfast Star : 112 (Half Time: 35) 11890 Killester : 109 (Half Time: 49)
Top Scorers
Belfast Star : P Cummins 29; S Summersgill 22; J Johnson 21
11890 Killester : J Turner 45; E Chubb 15; K O’Brien 12
Nivea Womens Superleague
TM Hotel Cork 57 (23) 11890 Killester 48 (23)
Darren O'Neill has a short journey for Saturday's visit to Belfast Star The Belfast school teacher takes his 11890 Killester side to face his former side in the Northern Conference of the Nivea for Men Superleague.
Darren knows it will be a tough one. "Star are a good side and the final score in last weeks game against DCU Saint's didn't do them justice. We will have to be at our best to win this game and it so important for us as we still haven't given up hope of taking the conference"
Mike Westbrooks believes that the team is over their cup semi final loss and is ready for Belfast Star even though they are still without Pete Madsen.
“Pete is a huge loss and hopefully he will be back for the game against Neptune but we did well against UCD Marian”
Mark Grennell's 11890 women ar at the other end of the country against Hotel Montenotte Glanmire. Grennell was happy to get the win against Meteors without Ash Sullivan.
"It was important for us to get the win and although we were not at our best we did enough to shade it. Ash is a huge loss and we will also be without Hannah Fraser tonight while Kate Gillen is getting over a head injury sustained last week"
Congratulations to Jermaine Turner pictured, receiving the Nivea for Men Player of the Month award for December from Interim President of Basketball Ireland John Landy
Ken Clarke, Club secretary presenting a cheque to Kate Kavanagh of the Joe Kavanagh Foundation. The Joe Kavanagh Foundation presented a Defibrillator to Killester recently and the cheque is the proceeds of a recent SuperLeague game night
Darren O’Neill’s 11890 Killester got back to winning ways with a comfortable 93-54 victory over an out of sorts UCD Marian at the IWA last night.
Despite being without the injured Pete Madsen Killester they were never in trouble and led 54-24 at half time.
Both sides ran their benches in the second half and Killester ended with six players in double figures as they secured at least the second spot in the Nivea for Men Superleague Nothern Conference.
Darren O’Neill felt the win was needed after a few glitches. “Yes we needed to get back on track after the losses in the cup to UL and away to Moycullen. In fairness the guys were up for the game and it was great to get the spread of scoring”
11890 Killester: 93(54) (J Turner 19, E Chubb 13, R Clarke 12, W Westbrooks, 12, J O Neill 12, R Clarke 12)
UCD Marian: 54(24 )( K Foley 17, D James 11, C Meany 7)
The ladies game was a crucial one with play off places at stake and it was a tense game throughout. 11890 Killester lined out without the injured Ash Sullivan who is such an influential part of the team and started well and in a low scoring game. Mark Grennell’s side led 23-16 as half time.
The home side had influential performances from Louise Gray and Elaine Stone and went on to secure the points with a 55-44 victory.
Mark Grennell was happy to get the win “It was so important, there is a lot of rivalry between the teams and without ASH it was always going to be difficult. But a win is a win and it puts us in a good position for the play offs” said the 11890 Killester coach.
11890 Killester:55 (23 )
(L Gray 13 E stone 12 M Clarke 5 C Flynn 5)
Meteors: 44(16)
(J Daly 12 R Fitzgerald 9 L Delaney 6)
After the thrills and excitement of last night’s Superleague Men’s Cup Final in Tallaght it is back to the Nivea for Men Superleagues tonight.
11890 Killester play host to UCD Marian and Meteors at the IWA.
Both games are crucial with play off places up for grabs.
Darren O’Neill’s men will be hoping to have Pete Madsen back from injury and Darren hopes that the short break will have helped his side.
The ladies will be without Ashling Sullivan who picked up an injury after just five minutes against Oblate Dynamos.
COME ON YOU ORANGE
Basketball Ireland U-20 Men’s National Cup Final
Maree (Galway) 72 (37) (K Hansberry 23, P Burke 18, C O Hagan 13) Killester (Dublin) 57 (22) (C Roe 25, P Sullivan 14, S McGrath 7)
MVP; Kenneth Hansberry (Maree)
Maree retained the Basketball Ireland U-20 Men’s National Cup trophy on Saturday after a comfortable 72-57 win over Killester.
The win was helped in no small part to the fine display of ‘MVP’ Kenneth Hansberry, who chipped in with 23 points in the win.
Maree opened their account with a basket from Kenneth Hansberry but Killester produced an instant response with two baskets inside the key. Further scores from Andrew Colfer and Emmet O’Toole saw Killester take a 10-8 lead with five minutes to play in the first quarter. Maree typically fought back with six unanswered points putting the Westeners 14-10 ahead. Sean Moran added to Killester’s woe with a basket to leave the Dubliners trailing by six at the end of the first quarter. (18-12)
In a tight opening to the second quarter, a big three from Ciaran Roe saw Killester reduce the arrears to three points. Maree soon settled with baskets from Colm O’Hagan, Kenneth Hansberry and Padraig Burke putting John Finn’s side in control. A 15 point deficit at half time (37-22) ensured a mountain to climb for Killester.
Killester made some inroads on Maree’s lead at the start of the third with a free throw courtesy of Ciaran Roe, while Mikey Deegan did his utmost to bring his side back into this fascinating contest. Padraig Burke penetrated to the basket and scored a lay up to widen the gap but Killester were proving effective from the free throw line, which was keeping them in the game at 51-38 at the end of the third quarter.
Killester narrowed the gap to 11 points with Roe, Steven McGrath and Patrick O’Sullivan all to the fore. Maree would have been understandably getting tense when Patrick Sullivan added to Killester’s revival with a three pointer. Kenneth Hansberry scored on the inside to ease nerves and it seemed to knock the stuffing out of Killester’s comeback plans. Maree eventually prevailing by 15 points
The U20 Men go head to head with a talented Maree team this Saturday @ 6pm in the U20 National Cup Final in the National Basketball Arena.
Killester have had an exciting route to the final this year, having display some tremendous determination throughout the competition to end up in the final.
In the opening round a tricky away tie to local rivals St.Vincents in November. Killester were able dominate the game with their stifling defence led by Ciaran Roe which led them to their exciting fast break play and impressive shooting from U18 stars Paddy Sullivan and Lukas Gokas. The victory set up another away tie in the quarter final away to north Star from Derry
In what was always going to be a tricky tie, the lads go off to a good start but the long journey to Derry seemed to take its toll on our U20 Killester team as North Star were able to open up a 15 point margin at one stage. Key plays late on and some luck saw experienced campaigners Ciaran Roe and Steven "Fizzy" McGrath dig deep to come up with big defensive stops. Roe led by example on the offensive side also pouring in 35 points and forced overtime with a basket on the buzzer. The momentum was with Killester now as they proved too strong in over-time for the hosts and set up a semi-final date with Tolka Rovers
The Semi Final in Neptune Stadium was a high-pressured game with both teams enjoying narrow victories in recent Dublin Cup and League games. Tolka got off to a promising start and in a close game lead through-out the first 3/4's but coach Mark Grennell reminded the U20 lads to show some of their now famous determination and were able remain in the game and big baskets from Mikey Deegan and Emmett O'Toole paved the way for a Killester comeback. Killester showed their ruthless streak and took the lead the final 5 minutes and finished strong to earn their place in Saturday's final.
The team has put in some hard work over the last couple of weeks and are looking forward to enjoying the final. If you can make your way out to the Arena on Saturday to support the lads, they would love to see you there. Game is at 6pm. You are guaranteed to see some superb and exciting basketball.
The shock of the weekend saw Moycullen defeat reigning champions 11890 Killester 64-58 after a fantastic performance in Oranmore.
Moycullen lie at the foot of the Southern conference, yet made light of their league standing to defeat Killester, a win made all the more impressive as the Galway outfit were without the key personnel of USA star Luke Enos.
Moycullen coach Ger Lyons was understandably proud at the end. “We had a lot of injures. We couldn’t play Luke Enos who has been our go-to guy all season and James O Dowd was also injured so we were really up against it.
“We were trailing at half time but we felt we really should have been up at that stage. Before the game we were looking around and believed that we have nothing to lose so we gave it everything we had and managed to come out on top.” Lyons said.
The defeat will be a further blow to Killester who have now lost two games on the bounce having suffered a dramatic defeat to UL Eagles last weekend in the cup semi-final.
Elsewhere, 11890 Killester eventually saw of the challenge of Oblate Dynamo’s after a slow start courtesy of a final score line of 54-43.
Killester Head Coach Mark Grennell believes the final score wasn’t pretty.
“The score was 18-14 at half time. I think psychologically the girls might still have been carrying some scars after last week. But we got it together at half time. The girls put up 40 points in the second half, so that is a big positive. I think we can move on now.”
Report from www.basketballireland.ie
The club’s Special Olympics section held their 2011 Christmas Party in Bayside N.S. on 16th December.
In keeping with a long standing tradition, Santa Claus along with members of the mens’ and womens’ Superleague teams paid a visit to share in the festive fun with the Special Olympics athletes.
Killester Basketball Club would like to congratulate our four teams on making it through to the National Cup Semi Finals and although it was a disappointing weekend for three of the four we are very proud of the teams achievements.
Our under 20 men, are through to the finals weekend in a fortnight where they will meet Maree following a 65-54 victory over Tolka Rovers on Friday night.
The lads struggled a little in the first half to settle and trailed by 30-24 at half time but they came into their own in the second half thanks to the cool heads and at times brilliance of the likes of Mikey Deegan, Ciaran Roe and Paddy Sullivan as they ran out comfortable winners in the end.
Maree beat Moycullen in the other semi final 91-61 and will go into the final as favourites but we would like to wish our boys in ORANGE all the best.
Visit www.irishspecialevents.com for more photo's of the Semi Finals
Under-20 Men's National Cup Semi Finals
Killester 65 (24) (M Deegan 20, C Roe 19, P Sullivan 10).
Tolka Rovers 54 (30) (P Caffery 12, D O’Beirne 11, M Blanchfield 8)
Moycullen 61 (37) (D Costelloe 18, P Lyons 9, A Brady 6)
Maree 91 (54) (K Hansberry 28, P Burke 9, C O’Hagan 14)
Senior Women’s National Cup Semi Finals
Scruffy’s Saint Paul’s 58 (27) (L Jones 16, M Galwey 13, K Canty 8)
Killester 48 (26) (E O’Neill 13, E Glover 7, P Mahon 6, S Kennedy 6)
Men’s SuperLeague National Cup Semi Finals
11890 Killester 73 64 (27) (J Turner 18, M Westbrooks 11, P Madsen 11)
UL Eagles 75 64(33) (R Taylor 19, J Killeen 18, M Hall 11) OVERTIME
Women’s SuperLeague National Cup Semi Finals
DCU Mercy 68 (34) (L Peat 14, S Maguire 12, S Woods 8)
11890 Killester 30 (15) (H Fraser 9, A Sullivan 4, L Gray 4)
Irish Basketball is “Alive and Kicking” just ask any of the 2500 who were lucky enough to get into the SOLD OUT Neptune Stadium yesterday for the National Cup Semi finals as UCC Demons beat Bord Gais Neptune 84-66 to book their place in the Superleague Cup final against Munster rivals UL Eagles.
The game was almost a half an hour late starting due to the crowd congestion and the atmosphere in the Stadium was reminiscent of those great days in the eighties.
It was pretty close in the first half with the scores changing minute by minute as Demons led 45-41 at the break. Paul Kelleher’s side then went on the rampage in the second half in a performance that left the coach hardly able to speak after the game.
“We knew Neptune would be up for this. We knew they would come out blazing at us and they did. We had to stick with them at that stage, but the guys have been practising a lot and have been really focussed on the job. It was a great performance considering the pressure we were under. We’re delighted to be in the final but we know it’s going to be a very tough game and different game against UL.”
Neptune’s day turned into a nightmare in that second half. Trailing by 17 points, Mark Scannell lost his influential veteran American Ron Thomson with an ankle injury and soon afterwards had Ger Noonan fouled out. A visibly injured Thomson returned for the closing stages, but at that point the damage had been done.
So it’s Demons against UL Eagles in the final in Tallaght in a fortnight. Mark Keenan’s side edged out his former club 11890 Killester 75-73 in an overtime nailbiter on Saturday with again a magnificent attendance.
Keenan was over the moon with the result. “It is such an important win for us, I thought we had blown it but we never gave up and brought it to overtime, it was nip and tuck in that five minute period and we just did enough for a two point victory. What a game it had pretty much everything – great defence both ends, some great offensive plays – it looked like we were dead and buried when we went nine down but fair play to the lads they came back. I can’t believe it. I am so proud of them” said Keenan.
His opposite number Darren O’Neill was gracious in defeat “It is as simple as this they wanted it down the stretch, we were 9 up with less than three minutes on the clock and we lost. You cannot afford the silly mistakes we made but we have to regroup and concentrate on the league” said O’Neill.
It’s as we expected in the women’s cup final as the odds on favourites UL came from 31-35 down at half time to beat Hotel Montenotte Glanmire 71-59.
UL Coach James Weldon was happy enough after a slow start. “We certainly were not firing on all cylinders in the first half but we settled in the third quarter and Rachael (Vanderwal) and Michele (Fahey) saw us through after that sticky patch. We will have to be a lot better in the final, DCU were probably at their very best against 11890 Killester” said Weldon.
And he certainly was right as Mark Ingle’s DCU Mercy put in their best performance of the season so far to beat 11890 Killester 68-30 and stay on song for their three in a row.
“We worked really hard but we still have a lot of improving to do over the next two weeks before we meet UL” said Ingle.
This weekend is a huge one for 11890 Killester with four of the clubs teams in semi final action in the National Cups in Cork.
Darren O’Neill’s Superleague men play UL Eagles on Saturday night at the Neptune Stadium, Mark Grennell’s ladies are in action against DCU Mercy on Sunday afternoon.
Our senior women play Scruffy St Pauls in the Parochial Hall on Saturday and the men’s under 20’s meet Tolka Rovers on Friday night in the Neptune Stadium.
11890 Killester men take on the Eagles
Darren O’Neill’s boys are on a high going into their semi final on Saturday following an overtime win in Cork last weekend in the league against the countries top team UCC Demons.
“We are really looking forward to Saturday, last weekends win in the Mardyke was a huge boost after our unfortunate loss to DCU Saints. We know it is going to be a really tough game but we are injury free and the guy’s are raring to go”
“Last season’s loss in the final still rankles with those of the squad that played in that game whereas it is a new experience for five of the squad and they are up for it”
“We really need to come out of the blocks with all guns blazing against UL as they are a tough side who are well coached by Mark Keenan and we will be looking to our senior players like Jermaine Turner, Pete Madsen, Michael Westbrooks and Kieran O’Brien to lead by example. It is going to be a really difficult game but our confidence is high” said O’Neill.
Many people wrote off 11890 Killester after losing the likes of Paddy Kelly, John Behan, Isaac Westbrooks, Damien Sealy, Michael Gij and Keith Anderson from the squad for various reasons but the younsters such as Eoin Chubb, Al Casey, Robbie Clarke, Jodi O’Neill and our Spanish whizz kid Mariano Gomez have filled the gap as vice captain Mike Westbrooks explains.
“Yes we were written off by many but we believed in ourselves as a group and although we have had some losses we are into the semi final of the cup and are second in the Northern Conference of the Nivea for Men Superleague after taking some notable scalps”
“There is a good buzz in the squad and hopefully we can show what we are made of on Saturday and make it through to the final at the end of the month” said Westbrooks.
11890 SUPERLEAGUE LADIES IN A REPEAT OF LAST YEARS SEMI
This weekend pits Mark Grennell’s 11890 Killester's Superleague Ladies against North-side rivals DCU Mercy in the second of the women's Superleague National Cup semi finals on Sunday the 15th @ 2.30pm in the Neptune Stadium. It is a repeat of last years semi where DCU emerged as winners and went on to defend their title but it is a new season and new hope that our young Killester Ladies can upset the veteran Mercy team.
One of the reason's for optimism is the return of the teams captain Aisling Sullivan who missed basically all of the last two years with injury and having to study abroad last year.
"Being back in Ireland and playing with Killester has been great. I really missed playing with the girls and the season has been an enjoyable one so far. The atmosphere on the team is great."
Aisling then moved on to give her thoughts on the upcoming game "To be in the cup semi on the back of some of our recent performances has really made us believers. We're so hungry and determined to take this opportunity that we have, to further it and make it to the cup final. The girls have worked really hard and I couldn't think of a better group of girls that deserve it more."
The Ladies have been in good form recently having won 6 of their last 7 games and really feel that loss against Glanmire was one that got away holding a double digit lead for most of the game. It should give them a completely different mindset going into this years semi final game,
"Last year we were a very different team compared to the team we are this year. Throughout last season we were plagued with injuries, frequently missing players like Fiona Carrick, Kate Gillen, Fiona Ward and myself. This prevented the team from gelling as well as we would have hoped on the court... This year, we have remained reasonably healthy, we welcome back Ash Sullivan and have strengthened our inside game with the addition of Eimear Naughton." said Elaine Stone, who has been one of the shining lights this season for the Ladies team.
Elaine knows what a huge task the team faces this Sunday, facing a team that has won the last two national cups but she is firm in her belief "The experience of last year's cup semi final is also something we have learned a lot from. These factors, combined with a tough preseason schedule, commitment and dedication to training throughout the season and our strong team bond have lead us to improve and perform solidly as a unit. I believe we are going into this game thoroughly prepared and we are confident that our hard work will pay off."
Fiona Carrick who also missed the whole of last season through injury is really looking forward to the game, she was very upbeat "I think our team is very well capable of winning and we are extremely determined to beat DCU on Sunday". While accepting that DCU are favourites going into the game, Fiona was determined to stress the confidence she has in her team mates. "Our team has progressed hugely over the past few years under the great coaching of Mark. It will be a very tough game, there is no doubting that. I think with our balanced fully fit team and the preparation we have, I've every confidence in us that we can do it!"
Coach Darren O’Neill summed up the mood in the camp. “It was so important for us to bounce back after our controversial loss to DCU Saints last Thursday week. We were 17 down at one stage in yesterdays game but we showed great character, changed our defense and grew in confidence and we are now so much looking forward to playing Eagles in the semi final of the cup next weekend back in Cork again” said O’Neill.
Killester’s opponents next week UL just scraped through 59-58 against Moycullen and Mark Keenan knows how lucky his side was.
“We got out of jail in this one, we have a huge amount of work to do before we meet Killester, our scoring has to improve if we are to beat them but defensively we were solid”
UCD Marian had a weekend of mixed fortune. On Saturday they acounted for Belfast Star 71-60 but went down 64-59 to DCU Saints yesterday while Star lost their second game of the weekend 83-61 to cup semi finalists Bord Gais Neptune whose coach Mark Scannell was happy with the points.
“We had a good win against Star and we managed a clean bill of health ahead of the cup derby against Demons next week at our place”
There were no surprises in the NIVEA women’s superleague with the top four and the cup semi finalists all winning.
UL made the trip to Waterford and beat WIT 57-46. UL coach James Weldon had not been looking forward to the game but came away with a win. “It’s always tough in Waterford, they gave us a really tough game and certainly it was what we needed before the cup semi next week”
DCU Saints were much too strong for Liffey Celtic winning out 77-34. Mark Ingle was glad to get the win ahead of a semi against 11890 Killester. “Everyone played well but we know that it will be tough next week, Killester are an improving side and had a good win in Cork yesterday”
11890 Killester were 75-67 winners away to SuperValu Brunell, Hotel Montenotte Glanmire saw off the challenge of Ulster Rockets 82-60 and Meteors were 55-48 winners against Oblate Dynamos.
The refurbished Mardyke Arena in Cork hosts the match of the weekend in the NIVEA for Men Superleague as UCC Demons play 11890 Killester.
Killester have had the better of things between the sides so far this season but Paul Kelleher’s Demons are the team of the moment and must be favourites to win tomorrow.
“Killester are still one of the best teams in this country and we will have to be very focused against them as they blew us away in the early stages when we played them recently in Dublin, we are in a rich vein of form at this present time and it is imperative we get a win before we take on Neptune in the national cup semi final next weekend.” Says Kelleher.
Darren O’Neill was so disappointed after the loss against DCU Saints last Thursday that he could hardly speak afterwards but he admits that his side has trained really well this week.
“Last Tuursday was like two different games we were superb for most of the first three quarters and were as much as 16 up but the eight minute delay certainly affected us more than them and we were awful in the 4th quarter. Sunday is a crucial game ahead of the cup semi’s against UL. There is no doubt that we are up for it but Paul (Kelleher) has a really strong squad and they are blowing people away at the moment. We will have to be at our very best as this game will be such a confidence booster for both teams with games against UL and Neptune just a week away” said O’Neill.
UCD Marian are in action twice over the weekend against Belfast Star tonight and they then have a huge Dublin derby against DCU Saints. Star are also in double action, after tonight’s game against UCD they host Bord Gais Neptune in Belfast tomorrow.
Elsewhere tonight Moycullen are at home to UL Eagles who are having an up and down season.
In the NIVEA Women’s Superleague, runaway leaders UL should have too much in the tank for WIT Waterford even on their own court while Hotel Montenotte Glanmire have a tough road trip against the Ulster Rockets.
DCU Mercy are at home to Liffey Celtics and should run out comfortable winners while their opponents in the cup semi final next week 11890 Killester are away to Supervalu Brunell and Meteors host Oblate Dynamos in a Dublin derby.
11890 Killester’s women’s and men’s team are in Cork for their NIVEA Superleage games on Sunday ahead of the Cup semi finals next weekend.
Darren O’Neill’s men have a really tough one against the ever improving UCC Demons who will be hoping for a first win against Killester this season while O’Neill will be trying to get a win after last Thursdays shocker against DCU Saints where they led by 16 and following an incident lost their composure and went down by 2 in overtime.
O’Neill was so disappointed after the loss that he could hardly speak but he admits that his side has trained really well this week.
“Last Tuursday was like two different games we were superb for most of the first three quarters and were as much as 16 up but the eight minute delay following that incident certainly affected us more than them and we were awful in the 4th quarter. Sunday is a crucial game ahead of the cup semi’s against UL. There is no doubt that we are up for it but Paul (Kelleher) has a really strong squad and they are blowing people away at the moment. We will have to be at our very best as this game will be such a confidence booster for both teams with games against UL and Neptune just a week away” said O’Neill.
Mark Grennell’s girls have not had the best preparation ahead of the visit to SuperValu Brunell who they meet in the Parochial Hall ahead of a cup semi final against DCU Mercy as the young coach explains.
“It hasn’t been great, we had a big gap before Christmas and a number of the girls were away over the Christmas and New Year and that didn’t help our preparations. Added to that Michelle Clarke who was superb when we beat Brunell at our place is very doubtful with a back injury. Car oline Flynn and Ciara Flaherty will only arrive into the country on Saturday from South Africa and California respectively. Eimear Naughton has been looking good in practice and that is a boost but it is really a tough ask” said Grennell.
DCU Saints came from 16 points down in the third quarter to edge an overtime thriller at a packed IWA 86-84 in the NIVEA for Men Superleague last night.
Unfortunately the game which was a classic will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. An incident involving a Saint’s player within feet of the officials table and in full view of a sizeable majority of the crowd led to the game being held up for over eight minutes and left a sour taste with the home fans.
11890 got off to a flying start and went into an early 9-2 lead. SAINTS clawed it back and it was 16 all at the end of the first quarter.
Killester went back into the lead in the second quarter only for the visitors to come back again, 11890 Killester led 39-36 at the break.
The home side had their best patch in the third and were as many as 16 up. Darren O’Neill’s side led 62-49 at quarters end but unfortunately the afore mentioned incident while adding spice to the game took a lot of steam from the home side.
Saints took the lead for the first time in the game 68-67 with just over three minutes to go and led 75-72 with seconds remaining when Jermaine Turner hit a three to bring the game to overtime.
It was nip and tuck in that overtime period and perhaps the turning point was an UNUSUAL charging foul on Turner as he was in full flight and appeared to be being dragged.
It was level at 84 apiece when Saints had a chance to win it but failed. Turned grabbed the rebound with 7 seconds to go. The ball squirmed out of his hand and found it’s way to former Killester favourite Keith Anderson who sealed it.
As ABBA’s Happy New Year was playing in the arena after the game the main topic of conversation was that third quarter INCIDENT that left the home team, officials and fans seething.
