Conor Meany on basketball: Top four dominance continues
Latavious Mitchell defends for Ballincollig against Limerick Celtics in the Domino's Men's Super League quarter-final. Pic: Larry Cummins
Neptune looked in real trouble, yet again, but they came through with a big third quarter and some clutch fourth quarter scoring to relegate Killorglin 81-78.
It was the final step in the great escape for Neptune, that included multiple big plays from Sam Henderson over the past week. Killorglin had so many close calls this year, it was fitting that they got relegated on another close call.
Ultimately they didn’t have the depth to survive. They lacked a true point guard throughout the year and there will be big questions around what’s next for a side that has invested heavily in recent years but shown very little return at the top level.
Coming into the play-offs, it looked like there was a major gap between the top four teams and the chasing pack, none of whom finished with a winning record this season.
That proved the case as Ballincollig’s win over Limerick Celtics was the closest first-round result (91-83). None of the others had difficulty, with the average margin of victory across the four games being 16.5 points.
The four teams eliminated all have a commonality which will fuel their off-season. They have a core of young Irish talent who have progressed this season.
Tralee did well, reaching a cup final in a year they lost Rap Buivydas and Ryan Leonard, while Limerick Celtics had a dream first year in the league. Vincent’s exceeded expectations and had they not had to change American late on, they may have been more competitive.
UCD Marian did well getting to the cup semi and finishing sixth but had to play both games without key professionals, as Bruce Saintilus, their top scoring American, missed the play-off while they also missed players for their cup semi. All will feel they have more to give and will hope to build on a positive year.
Killester will host Belfast Star in Dublin in what should be an interesting game. Killester have dominated Star twice this year and they look to be rounding into form at exactly the right time.
Eanna will have to travel to Ballincollig for their third time this year.
Ballincollig are 3-0 in the match-ups this year, but Eanna are a very dangerous team and Jaylyn Richardson seems to be settled now too, which adds to the Dublin side's threat.
Glanmire narrowly defeated Brunell 82-78 in a great game on Saturday. Brunell were excellent during the year at times, but hit a Glanmire team who have been building momentum over the past few weeks.
Jewel Watkins was a big difference as she got to the line at will and helped open up space for her team.
Wildcats almost came from behind to catch Meteors but they left themselves just too much to do, losing 72-69. The win was a big validation of Meteors' depth, while it also exposed issues that we’ve talked about with Wildcats for the past couple of years.
Depth has always been an issue, as has finding complementary players to surround Sarah Hickey with. After last year’s shock playoff loss to St Paul's, in which they shot 15% from three, they aimed to get more shooting through Alyssa Frescas.
Unfortunately, when they needed her most, the American shot 1/12 from three, leaving Wildcats just short again.
A year after they were the Cinderella story in the Super League play-offs, it was St Paul’s turn as a top seed to be stunned in the first-round, as the seventh seed Liffey Celtics beat St Paul's 71-65.
Celtics ability to mind the ball with only five turnovers, and poor shooting from St Paul's from behind the arc was the story as Liffey added to their cup successes with a big win that now sets up a semi-final against Glanmire in Cork.
In the other semi-final, Killester will host Meteors after they overcame a Cavan side who will be delighted with their first season in the league.
A collection of the latest sports news, reports and analysis from Cork.
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