Today's basketball action round-up

Merry Monk Ballina 103 Abrakebabra Tigers 95

Merry Monk Ballina have booked their place in tomorrow’s SuperLeague semi-final after a closely run contest with National Cup Champions Abrakebabra Tigers at the UL Sports Arena this afternoon.

The encounter was a closely fought encounter throughout with Ballina seizing the early initiative and soon leading thanks to points from Scott Kinevane and Paul Freeman.

Tigers awoke from their slumber and roared back when James Mooney sunk a three-pointer to tie the game at four points apiece.

Tit-for-tat scoring ensued until midway through the quarter as Ballina began to open up a sizeable gap thanks to Orlando Melendez and Scott Kinevane.

However, the Tigers' Wilder Auguste provedto be an endless thorn in Ballina’s side. Dave Fanning was also competing in the scoring stakes and the Tralee side were soon lurking just one point behind Ballina (15-14)

A single free-throw conversion from August drew the sides level at 15-15 but it only spurred Merry Monk to go on a scoring rampage with Melendez spearheading offensive plays. At the end of the first quarter Merry Monk were in the lead by 5, (25-20)

Ballina continued in their rich vein of form in the second quarter with Robert Taylor notching up the scores.

Wilder Auguste continued to keep his side within sight as he demonstrated some great shooting but Tigers failed to compete at the other end of the court.

The game was a high-scoring tie with Melendez penetrating at one end and Wilder Auguste at the other.

Unfortunately for Tigers, they found Merry Monk in fantastic form and with Paul Freeman and the stalwart Liam McHale on hand for Ballina it was alwas going to be an uphill struggle.

Orlando Melendez ran into foul trouble but was used wisely by his coach Terry Kennnedy to ensure the Ballina Star could spring from the bench to put pressure on Tigers.

Tigers clawed back some ground on Ballina but going into the final quarter Ballina were 77-68 ahead.

One last hurrah was forthcoming from Tigers and Dave Falvey’s men managed to draw themselves to within four points of Ballina thanks to some sharp three-point shooting from Dave Fanning.

Two crucial scores from Robert Taylor in the dying moments ended Tigers’ comeback hopes and captain Jay Marriott rounded off the scoring in impressive style to seal victory for Ballina, winning 103-94.

Top Scorers

Merry Monk Ballina:

Orlando Melendez 27

Robert Taylor 20

Jay Marriott 15

Abrakebabra Tigers:

Wilder Auguste 38

Dave Fanning 22

James Mooney 15

****

DART Killester 77 - 71 UCC Demons

DART Killester will face Merry Monk Ballina in the Nivea For Men SuperLeague League finals after a classic encounter with UCC Demons at the UL Arena in Limerick this evening.

Craig Walls was in splendid form for Killester as the Dubliners tore into Demons from the off. Iaasc Westbrooks opened the scoring with a breathtaking three pointer before Benito Flories restored order for Demons with a basket. Mark Keenan’s side continued to attack Demons and amanaged to open a six point gap towards the end of the quarter. However, Demons edged back into the contest with scores from Carlton Cuffe and Flories and trailled Killester 16-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Michael Plichta levelled matters with the first offensive play of the second quarter. The scoring remained tit-for-tat throughout the quarter with Wall and Bryce Burch landing punches for DART Killester while Shane Coughlan’’s introduction for Demons kept the Reels in the hunt. Towards the end of the quarter Killester got their tails up and scores from Burch, Walls and Paddy Kelly gave the North Dublin outfit a 37-33 lead at the half-time interval.

At the beginning of the third quarter Killester continued to dominate and had soon built up a 13 point advantage over the Blues. A three point score from Niall O’Reilly tipped the balance back towards a level playing field for Demons and was a beginning of a mni renaissance for Pat Price’s men as LeShon Shellfied and Flories notched up the points while DART struggled to find the mark at the other end.

A three-pointer from Sheffield drew Demons back to within one point of Killester with just over a minute remaining in the quarter. The American then snatched a basket and the lead before Johnny Grennell scored to leave DART back into the lead with the final quarter delicately poised (56-55).

LeShon Sheffield opened the final quarter for Demons exactly how his coach Pat Price would’ve wanted with a basket. Niall Murphy added to the points tally and soon Deomns lead by seven points. Paddy Kelly retorted along with Walls and Burch to bring Killester roaring back to snatch the lead with just over a minute remaining.

A cycle of scores from Kelly struck the killer blow to Demons and within the final minute Killester lead by five. Demons were unable to respond and Johnny Grennell rounded off a great night for Killester with two free throws to make it 77-71 for Killester at the finish.

Top Scorers

DART Killester:

Craig Walls 28

Bryce Burch 16

Paddy Kelly 14

UCC Demons:

LaShon Sheffield 19

Niall Murphy 16

Benito Flories 14

****

Tolka Rovers 70 63 Moycullen

Tolka Rovers are the 2007 Men’s Division One Champions after victory against a hugely talented Moycullen at the UL Sports Arena this afternoon.

Both sides were outstanding throughout the contest and provided a fitting game for a final contest in front of a large crowd or fantastic travelling support.

It was Moycullen who seized the game by the scruff of its neck in to opening exchanges, with Michael Dowd demonstrating his keen eye for the net with a brace of fine scores.

Vlad Igatavicius provided Tolka’s retort and a three-pointer from Eoin Quill levelled matters for the Dublin outfit seeking a League and Cup double.

The scoring remained tit-for-tat throughout the opening half of the first quarter until two Tolka three-pointers opened a five point gap over the Galway outfit.

Cian Nihill was in fantastic form for Moycullen and a string of scores reeled Moycullen back into the game as they trailed by just two points at the end of the first quarter, 20-22.

In the second quarter Rovers began to build up a healthy advantage over their rivals with Eoin Quill in fantastic form with a number of fine scores to give Tolka a 10-point lead without reply fro mMoycullen.

Nihill broke the Rovers cycle with a basket for Moycullen as the Galway men looked to close the gap on their Dublin rivals.

Two fantastic three pointers from Bernard Walsh continued Tolka’s dominance midway through the quarter but Moycullen were closing the gap and by the halftime interval trailed by five, 35-40.

An exhilarating third quarter was opened with sheer power by Tolka as Eoin Quill and Alan Kelly racked up the points for Rovers.

Moycullen continued to hang on but Rovers were soon 10 points to the good. By the end of the third quarter Tolka held a healthy 43-53 lead over their opponents.

However, a resurgence was forthcoming from Gerry Nihill’s men in the final quarter and Cian Nihill and Fergal McAndrew were responsible in hauling Moycullen to within four points for Tolka.

Some nervy moments were noticeable amongst the Tolka Rovers faithful but Vlad Ignatavicius and Eoin Quill continued to dominate in the offensive stakes to keep the Dubliners on top at the final buzzer, running out 70-63 winners and completing a fantastic double.

Top Scorers

Tolka Rovers:

Vlad Ignatavicius 19

Eoin Quill 18

Moycullen:

Fergal McAndrew 21

Cian Nihill 19

Michael Dowd 11

MVP: Vlad Ignativicius (Tolka Rovers)

****

Division One ladies final

Singletons SuperValu Donoughmore 76 - 60 Mustang Sally's St. Paul's

Singletons SuperValu Donoughmoreare the 2007 Women’s Division One Champiions after a superb 76-60 victory over Mustang Sally’s St. Paul’s at the UL Arena in Limerick this afternoon.

Donoughmore were the dominant side in the first quarter, with Stacy Brosnan benefiting from a Fiona Lynch assist to get the scoring underway.

Fiona Lynch then grabbed the headlines herself with a three point score to put the Cork side five points up.

Rachael Vanderwal followed up with a two pointer before Mustang Sally’s opened their account with Captain Lynn Jones sinking a three pointer to make the score 7-3 mid-way through the quarter.

Two free throws from Jones brought St. Paul’s to within two points of Donoughmore but Mary Whilte increased the Cork side’s advantage before a Stacy Brosnan rebound effort pushed the North Cork side further into the lead.

Donoughmore proved to be good value with Vanderwal picking out Mary White in a fast break to further increase the stranglehold.

Catriona O’Connell retorted for St. Paul’s but further scores from Vanderwal and Stacey Brosnan meant that Donoughmore ended the first quarter 7 points in the lead, 17-10.

The Cork ladies continued in a similar vein of form in the second period with the Crok Ladies football captain Juilet Murphy proving to be in inspirtational form.

Murphy’s crucial defensive plays were to play a pivotal part in Donoughmore’s title drive.

Both Fiona Lynch and Stacey Brosnan both chipped in with baskets to make it an 11 point game for Donughmore.

Murissa Galwey was busy at the other end for Mustang Sally’s with Carolyn O’Mahoney as they sought to fight back for the Kerry girls.

However, Liz Kelliher and Fiona Lynch continued to penetrate the St. Paul’s defence and notched up the scores to keep Donoughmore in the lead at the halftime interval, 33-22.

In the third quarter the Canadian who may be lining out for the Irish Senior Women this summer Rachael Vanderwal rose to the fore as she went on a scoring rampage.

Vanderwal notched up an impressive 7 points in the opening minutes of the quarter and Mary White was also taking part in the scoring.

Mustang Sally’s continued to fight back and Carolyn O’Mahoney kept their heads above the water with a number of scores but at the end of the third quarter Donoughmore were firmly in the driving seat, leading 57-38.

Doughmore continued to impress in the final quarter with Vanderwal and Juliet Murphy continuing to add to their points tally.

St. Paul’s were dealt a further blow when their top scorer Muiriosa Galwey limped out of the game after a heavy fall having clocked up 25 points.

Carolyn O’Mahoney and Lynn Jones kept the flag flying for the Saints but the sheer power of Donoughmore who were hungry for their league and cup double proved too great.

Rachael Vanderwal rounded off the game with a two point score to bring her tally to 26 points and confirm her Most Valuable Player Award Status and give Donoughmore the title, winning out 76-60.

Top Scorers

Singletons SuperValu Donoughmore:

Rachael Vanderwal 26

Stacey Brosnan 12

Mary White 11

Mustang Sally’s St Paul’s:

Muiriosa Galwey 25

Lynn Jones 14

Carolyn Mahoney 12

MVP Winner: Rachael Vanderwal (Donoughmore)