Super League: Celtics topple local rivals Eagles to take Limerick bragging rights

Eagles couldn’t make significant inroads in the final quarter and will now refocus ahead of Sunday’s clash with EJ Sligo All-Stars.

Men's Super League: Limerick Celtics 85 Limerick Eagles 76 

Limerick Celtics claimed a third win of the Domino’s Men’s Super League as well as crucial bragging rights over previously undefeated Limerick Eagles.

It was a pillar-to-post victory for Tony Hehir’s side, backed by a vocal Celtics support, making it three wins on the trot after an opening weekend reverse to Ballincollig.

Peter Turay’s 23 points and 18 rebounds were central to the victory.

By the first time out, Celtics captain Ruairi Collins had brought the Celtics support to its feet, after laying up after a powerful drive beneath the hoop. This gave the hosts a nine-point lead, 16-11. 

By end of the quarter Eagles had inched closer, 23-19 behind, with Alexander Carlisle scoring from deep.

The second quarter belonged, however, to Celtics, with Peter Turay on fire. His powerful movement in the paint and ability to link with his teammates saw them move the lead out to 16 by half-time.

Turay set Tiras Morton in for the final act of the half. 

A powerful finish with three Eagles trying to stop him soaring from close range. The score, 48-32, the most glaring stat, but Celtics were far more aggressive on rebounds, 25-11. Turay had accumulated 11 rebounds of his own, to go with 18 points.

Aaron Rhooms, despite a decent start, had been wasteful, converting just three of his twelve attempts in the first half.

The Eagles burst into life at the start of the third quarter, hacking the deficit down to just four points. 

Rhooms, Ryan Leonard and Carlisle all improved their output to bring them into contention.

However, more quality work from Morton, Turay and also Sebastian Cole saw Celtic hold the lead, 65-56 at the end of the third.

Eagles couldn’t make significant inroads in the final quarter and will now refocus ahead of Sunday’s clash with EJ Sligo All-Stars.

Celtics: P Turay (23); S Cole (17); T Morton (9).

Eagles: A Rhooms (30); R Leonard (16); A Carlisle (14).

Celtics: R Cronin (C) S Cole; H Gocek; M Frawley, T Morton, F Hughes, C Keys, C Gleeson, P Kearney, M Turski, G Obaze, P Turay, M Barry, L Moran.

Eagles: R Cregan (C), J Moore, F Kilmas, D Shahab, K Yakovlev, S King, R Leonard, S Taylor, D Horkan, A Kovacevic, A Carlisle, A Rhooms, A Ryan Walsh, T Christensen.