Killester stunned as Belfast Star shine through

REIGNING Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague champions DART Killester were stunned by Belfast Star at the weekend, while DCU Saints produced a fine comeback to beat a brave UCD/Marian yesterday to continue their excellent start to the season.

Merry Monk Ballina’s trip to Neptune resulted in three points for the Westerners, while UCC Demons managed to win on the buzzer away to Limerick Lions.

Abrakebabra Tigers secured the points over Mustang St Paul’s in the all-Kerry clash in Killarney, while Hoops recorded their first win of the season over league newcomers UU (University of Ulster).

DART Killester were widely expected to continue their perfect start to the season away to Belfast Star but the Ulster outfit pulled off a magnificent 77-74 success.

Despite Arnoud Dahi’s tally of 33 points, the Dubliners were trailing by four points at the interval and ended up losing by three.

Despite trailing by seven points at the interval, DCU Saints fought back to beat their capital rivals UCD/Marian 106-92 at the DCU Sports Centre.

Keenan Browder was pivotal in the win, claiming 37 points, while Kenny Gamble hit 20 points.

Abrakebra Tigers hold bragging rights in the Kingdom after a 95-88 win over Mustang St Paul’s. Carl Hadley (26 points) and Chris Jordon (34 points) continued their good form for Tigers, while Matt Hillery (30 points) and Dainius Varanauskas’ (18 points) total of 48 points were unable to save their side from defeat.

Merry Monk Ballina recorded another win with an impressive 98-85 defeat of Neptune in Cork on Sunday. Peter Strobl shot 33 points for Ballina.

Limerick Lions suffered heartbreak with a one-point defeat at home to UCC Demons. The Lions were one up at the interval but the Cork outfit edged out a tight affair in the closing seconds. Irish international Colin O’Reilly maintained his good form with 22 points for Demons, while Thomas David had 24 points for the Lions.

Hoops got their first win of the season on Friday, beating UU at the National Basketball Arena.

The southerners welcomed former Irish underage coach Martin McGetterick onto the coaching staff midweek and held a 22-point advantage at half-time. Bryan Niemen’s 41 points weren’t enough to save UU from their third successive defeat.

In the Basketball Ireland Women’s SuperLeague, DCU Mercy’s went down away to UL Aughinish on Saturday night.

Team Montenotte Hotel Cork held on to their perfect start — but only just against a dogged Meteors side in Dublin, while DART Killester earned maximum points at home to Bausch & Lomb Wildcats of Waterford.

DCU Mercy and UL Aughinish produced a thrilling game in Limerick: the sides finished 53-53 after the four quarters but UL Aughinish eventually won 59-57.

Team Montenotte Hotel Cork are the only side with a perfect record in the league but barely managed a one-point win away to Meteors, 59-58.

DART Killester followed on from last week’s success over Tolka Rovers with 11 points to spare over Bausch & Lomb Wildcats.