Templeogue continue perfect run after edging out Swords

Templeogue continued their winning start to the Men’s Premier League but were pushed all the way before edging out Swords Thunder 81-80 at the Oblate Hall.

In a rip-roaring first half Templeogue led 51-41 with Michael Bonaparte and Conor Grace influential for the winners.

Swords outscored them 22-15 in the third as the deficit was reduced to three points entering the final quarter.

Both teams battled hard coming down the stretch but a late Stephen James basket secured maximum points for the league leaders much to the relief of coach Mark Keenan.

“It was a terrific game and credit to Swords, they certainly put it up to us but my guys were resilient,” Keenan said.

UL Eagles’s winning run came to an unexpected end when they were defeated at home by Belfast Star 82-71.

The Ulster outfit, after two consecutive defeats, showed great determination from the tip off and led 44-40 at the break with American Shawn Vincent scoring at will.

Although the Limerick men tried hard in the second half Star always found the big baskets and were comfortable 11-point winners.

For coach Neil McCotter it was sheer relief as he reflected on the game. “I think we witnessed our best performance of the season as UL were on a winning run but over the 40 minutes we were the better side,” McCotter said.

UL coach Paul Kelleher felt his side got caught up in the hype of winning at Swords Thunder last week.

“I just felt we weren’t tuned in and Star punished us. To lose a bonus point at home is very disappointing.”

The Dublin derby between Killester and DCU Saints was a drab affair with the former securing an 83-59 win at Clontarf.

C&S UCC Demons hammered UCD Marian 92-76 with Lehmon Colbert finishing with a game high 34 points while Moycullen also got their first win of the season when crushing Eanna 80-40.

In the Women’s Premier league, Meteors defeated UL Huskies 77-58 with Megan McGuinness contributing 22 points.

The big shock of the weekend saw Waterford Wildcats defeat Liffey Celtics 76-69 with Helena Rohan leading the way scoring on 25 points.

League debutants Portlaoise Panthers pushed Killester all the way at Clontarf before losing out 88-78.

DCU Mercy were pushed all the way by Singleton’s Supervalu Brunell coming from eight points behind entering the last quarter to run out 68-61 winners.