Gleneagle Lakers earn long-overdue Waterford win
The victory was a long time coming. They should have beaten Marian, they might have beaten Demons and they were a point up on Saints with the seconds rolling away at Glasnevin on Saturday night. But it eventually came before the home crowd and afterwards PRO Niall O’Callaghan insisted the team has now turned the corner and promised fans festive fireworks over the holiday period.
The fact they came back from a heartbreaking two point loss to Irish Travel Partner Saits - making the long return journey to the INEC - showed a honest character in a side that might well have been demoralised. It speaks volumes for the spirit rekindled by the experienced Mark Scannell as he set about rebuilding the side.
Despite the happenings of the night before, Killarney started well yesterday and opened up a 23-8 lead before Waterford responded to finish the first quarter 26-12. Waterford Crystal’s Larry Florance made his debut for the club but dislocated his finger in the third minute of the game.
Killarney continued to dominate the second quarter leading 43-32 at half time. Two big 3-pointers from Padraig Morrissey, followed by a superb third quarter performance from Dean Kavanagh and Waterford were right back in the game, 60-57 going into the final period.
With 2½ minutes on the clock, the teams drew at 64 points before three pointers from Shane Horgan and Tyrone Levitts allowed Killarney pull away for a comfortable 80-67 victory.
“We played well in the last couple of weeks and Mark Scannell has really turned us around as a team,” Niall O’Callaghan insisted. “Our new American, Tyrone Levett, who came to us from Alabama State University in place of Billy Gilligan, could be the find of the season. He has been outstanding.”
Neptune continue to set the pace but Coach Martin Aherne is the first to admit they have been playing their best games away this season and again on Saturday night they had a sluggish start and found themselves trailing
early in the first quarter when Limerick opened up a 7-11 lead. With a minute remaining in the first quarter, successive baskets from David Langrell cut into the Limerick lead, but the visitors dominated 13-19 at the end of the period.
The second quarter saw Watson and Gamble struggle from the inside but with five minutes left in the half, the lead was cut to 2 points, 21-23. A 3-pointer from Michael McGinn gave Neptune a half time edge 36-35.
Watson and Gamble came to life at the start of the second half and opened up a 6-point lead. Two 3-pointers from Luke O'Hea tied the game at 51 with 4.10 to play. Both teams traded baskets, but a 3-point play from Douglas Hines restored the Limerick lead 56-57.
The last quarter saw Neptune pick up the pace and with the 6.30 left in the game opened up an 8-point lead 69-61. Threes from Hall and Campbell tied the game again at 70. With 32 seconds left in the game Gamble again restored the Neptune lead 81-77. A three point play from Henry bought the Limerick side within one point, but again an inside play from Gamble gave Neptune the 83-80 lead as a Limerick turnover allowed the home side to run out the clock.
Tolka Rovers opened up an early 9-15 lead against Sx3 Star but a series of spectacular dunks from Charles
Mason, assisted by Adrian Fulton, Star took control and maintained the lead throughout the game. At the end of the first quarter, a Fulton shot on the buzzer gave Sx3 Star a 9-point lead 26-17.
Star continued their dominance throughout the second quarter and led 47-33 at half time, but it was in the third quarter when Tolka Rovers really struggled. Star's Americans combined for a total of 28-points in the third quarter, outscoring the visitors 30-14. Tolka Rovers were no match for the aerial threat of Charles Mason, the 3-point shooting of John Leahy and the offensive rebounding of Pat Campolieta. Star led 77-47 at the end of the third quarter and ran out winners 97-75.
Like Tolka, Mardyke UCC Demons were looking for a win going into next weekend’s Cup tie at the Mardyke but Dart Killester played above themselves and sent Demons back to Cork on the wrong end of a 91-87 after a thrilling contest in Clontarf. The first quarter was basket for basket with Killester edging a 3-point clearance, 21-18 after 10 minutes. Clyde Ellis made his debut for Killester but was outshone by Rodney Gidney’s 24-point contribution in the first half. The teams drew at 43-points at half time and it was in the second half when Ellis made his mark.
A 3-pointer from Brian Clernon seven minutes into the third quarter gave Demons a very brief advantage, 59-58, before Killester finished the quarter 67-64.James Singleton levelled the game at 87 points in the last minute of the game before a foul on Ellis allowed him convert 2/2 on the line, 89-87 with only seconds remaining. Demons were going for extra time before Grennell stole the ball, passed it into Ellis and as the buzzer sounded, Ellis slammed the ball through the net to seal victory for Killester.
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