Éanna boost with win over UCD Marian
By Daire Walsh
DBS Éanna moved up to sixth in the InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League table with an 82-73 victory away to UCD Marian on Saturday.
Following an opening day home reversal to EJ Sligo All-Stars, Darren McGovern’s Ballyroan-based outfit got their campaign on track with a 90-77 win against Killester at IWA Clontarf on October 8. This put them in a positive frame of mind for their visit to the nearby UCD Sports Centre for an all-southside derby.
24-13 ahead at the end of the first-quarter, the visitors subsequently held a 41-33 half-time advantage. UCD rallied as the action progressed, however, and found themselves in front by the bare minimum deep into the final-quarter.
Yet Éanna held firm under severe pressure and registered 10 points on the bounce to ultimately claim the spoils. Marko Tomic was particularly influential during this period and ended the contest with a personal haul of 20 points.
Joshua Wilson marginally surpassed this tally with 26 points, while Sean Jenkins (14) and Neil Lynch (9) also featured prominently in the scoring stakes. Next up for Éanna is a trip down the M1 this Saturday (6.30pm) to face Belfast Star, who lost out to eighth-place Griffith College Templeogue at Nord Anglia International School on the weekend.
A 27-point haul from Ireland star Lorcan Murphy went a long way towards ensuring Templeogue followed up the previous week’s impressive win over Bright St Vincent’s with an 83-78 triumph at the expense of their Belfast counterparts. However, it was far from being a one-man show as Francis Mulvihill (17), James Gormley (16), Neil Randolph (12) and Luke Thompson (10) all ended the game with double digit tallies.
Like their neighbours Éanna, Templeogue left it late before confirming their victory. 78-77 adrift with just over two minutes left on the clock, five points courtesy of Murphy as well as one from Randolph gave the hosts a decisive edge.
Next up for Mark Keenan’s charges is a tasty encounter against EJ Sligo All-Stars at 5pm on Saturday in the National Basketball Arena.
Meanwhile, Abbey Seals Dublin Lions’ difficult start to the InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Division One league continued at Colaiste Bride in Clondalkin on Saturday.
After losing out to Team North West and Ulster University in their opening two fixtures, the Lions were hoping to finally get their campaign up and running. Kevin Obasuyi, Ringo Dau and Tiernan Howe flew the flag with a combined scoring haul of 55 points, but their opponents Malahide had enough in reserve to emerge with a 89-75 victory.
Next up for the Lions is an away clash against Portlaoise Panthers at St Mary’s Hall at 8pm this Saturday.