Men's Super League: In-form Limerick Celtics spoil O'Mahony return with conclusive win over UCC Demons

Meanwhile, defending champions Ballincollig leapt to fifth place after beating St Vincent’s 105-75 at the MTU Arena, as Energywise Ireland Neptune took revenge on Belfast Star

Limerick Celtics Sebastian Cole with Jack O’Leary of UCC Demons. Pic: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho

The Men’s Super League leaders Limerick Celtics ran away 100-83 winners against UCC Demons, spoiling Danny O’Mahony’s return as head coach. 

Limerick Celtics started the contest by taking a 23-16 advantage into the second quarter and extending that lead to 12 at half-time. The third quarter onslaught from Celtics saw them widen the gap to 28, as Philip Kearney notched up ten points during the period. 

UCC Demons outscored Celtics 26-20 in the final ten minutes; however, the damage had already set in, and Limerick Celtics took a 17-point victory.

Although Sebastian Cole led the Limerick Celtics scoring with 21 points, it was Tiras Morton who once again stole show – grabbing 15 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists in the contest. 

Elijah Tillman returned to his best for UCC Demons, tallying up 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Cork side. Limerick Celtics will host eleventh place Griffith College Éanna in round eight, as UCC Demons take on another dangerous Munster side in Limerick Eagles.

Reigning champions Ballincollig defeated an out of form St Vincent’s team 105-75, bringing the Dublin sides record to 0-7 for the season.

Alex Bellver led Ballincollig into a 26-17 lead in the first quarter, scoring 15 points and making three three-pointers, before Ballincollig extended the lead to 51-36 at half-time. The Cork side continued their scoring spree in the third period and ultimately brought the gap to 32 points in the final quarter, before cruising over the finish line.

AJ Williams and Bellver led the scoring charts for Ballincollig, as they combined for 61 points and claimed double-doubles with rebounds. Scott Stone continued his impressive scoring form, putting up 26 points, while new signings Dwaine Jones and Bessanty Saragba picked up their first Super League points.

AJ Williams in action for Ballincollig BC in the Domino’s Men’s Superleague game against St Vincent’s at MTU Arena on Saturday. Pic: Larry Cummins

Ballincollig will take a trip up the road to Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in gameweek eight, as St Vincent’s host Energywise Ireland Neptune.

Killester, who were eliminated from the Domino’s MSL National Cup by Limerick Eagles, took revenge against the Munster side to win comfortably in St Munchin’s College. 

Killester recorded a monstrous 34-point first quarter, with Kyle Carlesimo racking up 18 points in the first ten minutes. Limerick Eagles steadied the ship and went score for score with Killester in the second period; however, another huge 33-point quarter for Killester saw them take a 29-point advantage into the final quarter. 

With both sides scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter, Killester walked away 118-89 winners in Limerick.

Carlesimo recorded his season-high 42 points, including nine three-pointers, but it was Killester’s 55 rebounds to Limerick Eagles’ 32 that sealed the game. 

Alex Carlisle continued his high-scoring form for Eagles with 24 points, as Irish underage international Fryderyk Klimas racked up 12. Killester will take the trip up north to face Belfast Star next, as Limerick Eagles take on their Munster foes UCC Demons at the Mardyke Arena.

Energywise Ireland Neptune defeated their MSL National Cup opponents Belfast Star 86-74 at Neptune Stadium, following their exit from the cup. Star looked to take control of the contest in the first half, taking an eight-point lead into the third quarter. 

Adam Drummond’s Neptune came out of the blocks in the second half to score 26 points and contain Belfast to just ten. The Cork side also outscored Belfast in the final period by 24-20 to secure a 12-point home victory.

Neptune’s Nil Sabata travels. Pic: Chani Anderson

Sean McCarthy scored the game-high 35 points for Neptune, while also picking up nine rebounds, and Belfast Star’s Jordan Green picked up a double-double with 17 points and ten rebounds. Neptune will journey to Dublin to face bottom of the table St Vincent’s in round eight, while Belfast Star host third place Killester.

UCD Marian took the Southside derby bragging rights over Griffith College Éanna in an 87-78 win on the road. UCD Marian seemed unstoppable in the opening quarter, outscoring Éanna 22-8 but Gareth Winders’ Éanna got back on track to record a mega 30-point quarter and take a two-point lead into half-time. 

UCD clapped back in the third period, where James Connaire scored eight of UCD’s 25 points, before the Belfield side closed out the game to win by nine points. 

Morgan Taylor led the home side in scoring, securing a 21-point game, while UCD’s Tanner Graham recorded a double-double with 15 points and ten rebounds. Griffith College Éanna will face league leaders Limerick Celtics next weekend, as UCD Marian host EJ Sligo All-Stars.

EJ Sligo All-Stars took a home defeat against Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, in a narrow 84-79 game. 

Sligo All-Stars took a three-point lead into the second half, as Miles Brown clocked up 19 points in ten minutes, but Jayden Daughtry and Alec Millender combined to best the Sligo guard with 20 points. 

Sligo All-Stars extended that lead to 64-56 before the final period, but a scoring onslaught from Tralee Warriors saw them win the fourth quarter 28-15 and take a narrow five-point win back to Kerry. 

Miles Brown ended the game with a dominant 29 points, as Alec Millender led the visitors with 27. 

EJ Sligo All-Stars will travel east in round eight to take on UCD Marian, while Garvey’s Tralee Warriors welcome their Munster rivals Ballincollig to Castleisland.