Still no joy for Neptune, Beckom return strengthens Demons

On Sunday, they looked set to get a critical win over Killorglin as they led by three with 30 seconds to go. Unfortunately for Neptune they gave up two free throws and then turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds pass, giving Killorglin a final chance. 

Killorglin themselves had been on the receiving end of a 1-point loss on Saturday, but they finally found joy in a tight game as Emilyan Grudov hit a three with 1.5 seconds remaining to give Killorglin a 1-point lead. After a timeout, Neptune turned over the inbound again and they lost another vital chance. 

Neptune are now back alone at the foot of the table, although given how competitive each team is this year, there are undoubtedly more twists and turns to happen. Neptune have three games against the struggling mid table teams and will expect at least one if not two of those to be wins. Given how tricky Killorglin’s run in is, it likely will still be between these two who goes down.

Sligo have double joy 

Last weekend Sligo were heavily criticised by how badly they fell away against Neptune, but this weekend they bounced back with two huge wins over Killorglin and Tralee both on the road. 

The Killorglin win was more expected, but Sunday’s win was the impressive one, especially as Tralee hadn’t played on Saturday. Anthony Obinna had a good game with 19 and Jordan Hinds will capture the headlines with 31, but it was Luke McLoughlin that I was most interested in. Sligo have been criticised for not having enough of an Irish rotation this year, and Luke stepped up in the big moments today with 7 points in 12 minutes. 

It may not immediately jump out, but with John Carroll out as well as RJ Etyle Rock, Sligo needed production from somewhere to get them over the line and McLoughlin provided it. Sligo suddenly have gone from last week’s favourites for the drop, into the final playoff team at the moment, such is the nature of the league.

Demons top Eanna 

Demons made the most of their fresh legs on Sunday with a 100-87 win over Eanna. 

It’s an impressive win and another vote of confidence that Demons won’t be at the bottom of the table come March. 

Although the pros led the way, James Beckhom’s return from injury has given another added boost and lessened the burden on David Lehane. Eanna will be disappointed in the loss, but it was still a good weekend overall for the Rathfarnham side after they easily beat Star (96-71) in Dublin. 

Eanna now have Jaylyn Richardson, a big producer for St. Vincent’s before Christmas. 

Richardson gives them an added scoring punch and Eanna could be a team to watch in the playoffs. 

Star also had a new face in Shane DeZonie, who was good in their 85-79 win over Vincent’s on Sunday. 

He struggled more on Saturday in the loss to Eanna, but Star’s bigger concern is now Roger Wilson, who left the Vincent’s game after just seven minutes on the floor after picking up an injury.

St Paul’s continue good form 

St Paul’s got their seventh straight league win as they demolished Liffey Celtics 84-65. 

You have to go back to mid-December for the side’s last loss, as the current league leaders are tied with Killester with a 12-3 record ahead of a big match-up between the teams next weekend. 

Anyone who thought St Paul’s run to the final last year was lucky will be acknowledging that their second season at Super League level has been even more impressive, given the consistency of their performances. 

Lorrain Scanlon was in particularly dominant form with 20 points and 14 rebounds, one of three St Paul’s players with 20 points alongside Maisie Burnham and Tara Cousins. 

Liffey were smothered and were consistently second best in what could be a preview of a first-round playoff matchup in a few weeks’ time.

Killester win again despite Haiby absence 

Killester once again showed the power of their collective as they beat Trinity Meteors 76-65. With Sam Haiby out through injury, Morgan Lenahan the former Meteors American, was in for a second straight game. 

Lenahan herself struggled with just five points, but Killester didn’t need it as they got production from all over, led by Ieva Bagdanaviciene’s 19 points. 

Meteors’ dip in form continues as they lost their third game out of four. The numbers tell their own story: 17 turnovers and 3/28 from three. Killester compounded that by controlling the paint, winning the rebounding battle and attempting 25 free throws to Meteors’ 11. 

With Glanmire on the way next, who easily dispatched Fr Mathews, things need to change for Meteors quickly before they find themselves in 7th or 8th seed for the playoffs.

Limerick Celtics get critical win 

It was a big double header weekend for Limerick Celtics playing Vincent’s and Marian. They lost narrowly in Dublin on Friday night but then played brilliant zone defence against UCD on Saturday to stifle them completely in their 77-70 win. 

A playoff spot isn’t beyond the question, but it would be hard to see them relegated now with just four games to go. Killester added to UCD Marian’s woes with a brilliant shooting display on their way to a 95-79 win. 

It was another two wins for Killester after they beat Neptune too, and their institutional knowledge is going to secure a top-three finish. 

The best version of Killester is one of the only teams capable of beating Ballincollig, but whether they will get this best shooting version when they need it is the big question.