Limerick Lions roar into contention

ON A weekend when three of the four cup semi-finalists tasted defeat a week before Cup final weekend, Limerick Lions got their challenge for the NIVEA SuperLeague play-off spot back on track with a sensational 107-98 home victory over Mardyke UCC Demons.

Only the hot favourites for the double, Abrakebabra Tigers, survived the weekend of shocks to reinforce their claims with a victory over Star on Saturday night.

But Mardyke UCC, Demons and Neptune both suffered shock defeats to Limerick and Neptune to UCD.

Limerick's victory their third over Demons this season was hardly expected at the end of a poor run that had all but put paid to their challenge.

And they did it the hard way. Demons led by 10 points at the end of the first quarter but Limerick rallied and came back to lead by seven at half time. Then they had to rally again as Demons fought back to level the game midway through the third quarter and they led by one going into the final quarter.

But they found another gear and some great finishing put them 12 points clear.

They are now tied with Demons for a play-off spot although Demons have a game in hand while Neptune, now four points behind them, have three games in hand on Limerick and two on Demons.

"We are back in the hunt again," Limerick Coach Tom Hehir said. "I did not really expect it but for the past couple of weeks we were getting in some really good, competitive practice sessions. We had a great run before Christmas and I firmly believe you don't become a bad team overnight. We had problems against Neptune but a big factor was the return to form of Chris Jeffries. It was not just the 39 points he scored but the energy he brought with him."

Merry Monk Ballina bounced back from a loss to DART Killester on Saturday night to spring a surprise victory over cup semi-finalists, Roma St. Vincent's, beating them by eight points in Glasnevin.

UCD's challenge was faltering in recent weeks but they reinforced it with wins over Neptune and Hoops. They beat Neptune by 128-112 on Saturday night.

Neptune's Jim Nugent saw Daveeno Hines back in full flight but even his performance was not sufficient to snuff out UCD's second half resurgence.

UCD had a more difficult task yesterday afternoon when they had just four points to spare over Shamrock Rovers Hoops.

Waterford Crystal had a convincing 91-68 victory over Gleneagle Lakers and there were no problems for Abrakebabra Tigers who had 18 points to spare over MDS Star in Belfast.

Vienna Woods Glanmire got the perfect result in advance of their cup semi-final against UL Aughinish when they beat Bausch & Lomb Wildcats 70-68 while UL beat another of the semi-finalists, Mustang Sally's St. Paul's 85-60, Michelle Aspell scoring 38 pts.