Strong fourth quarter sees Ballincollig past Neptune

FINAL QUARTER: A solid fourth quarter from Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig saw them defeat Energywise Ireland Neptune in a disappointing Men’s Super League clash at the MTU Arena. 

Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig 78 Energywise Ireland Neptune 71 

A solid fourth quarter from Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig saw them defeat Energywise Ireland Neptune in a disappointing Men’s Super League clash at the MTU Arena.

Neptune gave a debut to new American signing Chance Hunter and with Bosman Jaksa Sola returning from a six-week spell on the sidelines with a foot injury their supporters expected a better display against their Cork rivals.

Joshua Tomaic gave the home side the perfect start when he banked a shot and when Quashma Lane nailed a three pointer on the next possession it gave them a five-point lead.

In fairness the new Neptune American signing Chane Hunter looked useful in the opening exchanges doing all the basics well before being substituted in the ninth minute with his team commanding a six-point lead.

The second Neptune American Jahmal Wright was also showing nice touches and a late slammer ensured his team had a six-point cushion 23-17 entering the second quarter.

In a poor quarter it was lit up in the closing two minutes with a brace of pinpoint assists from Darragh O’Sullivan to Wright that saw Neptune regain a nine-point interval lead 40-31.

On the restart Ballincollig did improve in the shooting department as they reduced the lead to four points before Neptune responded with consecutive baskets.

Adrian O’Sullivan was certainly finding his shooting form and when he drove to the hoop midway through the quarter it helped reduce the deficit to three points 54-51.

The overall play continued to be sloppy with the underfoot floor conditions rather slippery at times, but Ballincollig kept battling without excelling and following a Sean McManus basket the sides were tied at 57 points each with a minute remaining.

McManus then nailed a free throw and entering the final quarter Ballincollig led 58-57 with Neptune putting in a poor shift in this period.

Coming down the stretch Neptune collapsed as Ballincollig inspired Quashawn Lane executed the key baskets that ensured them a hard earned win.

Scorers for Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig: Q Lane 18, A O’Sullivan 15, j Tomaic 12.

Scorers for Energywise Ireland Neptune: C Hunter 22, J Wright 14, J Sola 12.

Energywise Ireland Neptune: K O’Donoghue, D O’Sullivan, O Connolly, R Downey, C O’Sullivan, J Wright, D Aluko, A Heaphy, D O’Rourke, N Sabata, C Hunter, C Heaphy.

Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig: J Tomaic, A O’Sullivan, J Wolfe, D O’Herlihy, S O’Flynn, S McManus, C O’Sullivan, R O’Sullivan, L O’Sullivan, D Corkery, K Cairns, Q Lane.

Referees: J Dooley (Portlaoise), C White (Dublin) L Aherne (Limerick).