Maigh Cuilinn 83 (44)
Killorglin 79 (37)
A personal career high 24 points from Maigh Cuilinn’s James Connaire inspired a wining Superleague home opener against Killorglin of Kerry on a final score of 83 to 79.
Connaire connected on all five of his three point attempts throughout the contest, one which Maigh CUilinn never trailed in and, although made to sweat somewhat at the end, held on for a a deserved win.
While the welcome scoring outburst from Connaire was certainly the talking point on the day, a resolute and combined team effort on defence from Maigh Cuilinn, against what is a formidable Killorglin attacking line-up, was equally important in securing the victory.
Save for the almost unstoppable Robert Alan Kelly Jr, who poured in 34 points for the Kerry outfit, Maigh Cuilinn kept good tabs on the other dangermen for Killorglin and in particular Lovre Tvdic who scored only ten points a week after netting 24 against UCC Demons.
The win was all the more impressive for Maigh Cuilinn given that usual star man Grant Olsson was sidelined for the majority of the game with foul trouble and as such, only contributed eight points.
Maigh Cuilinn jumped out of the blocks early and had a 28 point to 17 lead after the first quarter and still had a healthy to 44 to 37 advantage at the half. It was somewhat nip and tuck closer to the endgame, Killorglin tying proceedings twice but it was always Maigh Cuilinn in control and appropriately, it was Connaire that sealed the win with the last free throws of the game.
Maigh Cuilinn, fresh off the impressive win travel to Cork next weekend (Saturday 14 October at 5pm) to take on Neptune – the winningest club in Irish basketball history.
It is recent history that will concern Maigh Cuilinn supporters more than the 11 league titles the Leesiders racked up during a glorious 20 year span between 1983 and 2003. Last season, Neptune easily accounted for Maigh Cuilinn in both fixtures, at home and away – the firepower of Neptune’s dazzling attacking options the key difference in both those games.
Maigh Cuilinn Scorers: James Connaire 24, Josiah Laracey 15, Antonio Molina 14, Ivan Basic 11, Grant Olsson 8, Aitor Perez 7, Kevin Nugent 2, Kyle Cunningham 2, Dylan Cunningham, Joe Tummon, Liam Moloney, Donagh McDonagh