Galway’s three Super League squads come off second best

Maree's Carol McCarthy is about to secure possession against Niamh Masterson, Liffey Celtics, during the clubs' Super League clash at Calasanctius College, Oranmore. Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy.

placeholder image — Maree's Carol McCarthy is about to secure possession against Niamh Masterson, Liffey Celtics, during the clubs' Super League clash at Calasanctius College, Oranmore. Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy.

THERE was disappointment for Galway’s three Super League sides at the weekend as all suffered defeats, but NUIG Mystics continued their fine start to the new season with a second win in the Women’s Division 1.

In the Women’s Super League, Maree’s 25-game unbeaten run that stretched back to October of last year was ended in Oranmore on Saturday night when last season’s League and Cup double winners, Liffey Celtics, claimed a 76-70 win.

Maree’s Men’s Super League side were unable to repeat their heroics of last year’s visit to Belfast Star when they went down 77-61 away to the Ulster side; while Moycullen came out the wrong side of a 79-73 scoreline away to UCD Marian.

In the Women’s Division 1, NUIG Mystics overcame a 4-point half-time deficit away to UL Huskies to claim a 66-57 win to make it two wins from two in Limerick, having beaten Limerick Celtics in their opening game of the season.

Maree 70

Liffey Celtics 76

Maree face a real test of character this weekend as they look to bounce back from a first defeat in 26 games since their return to the national league after Liffey Celtics showed their class to take the win in Oranmore on Saturday.

It was a big step-up in class for a Maree side that romped to all five Division 1 titles last season, and while there will be disappointment at the defeat, they showed they can live with the elite of women’s Basketball in Ireland.

The visitors won the top-flight league and cup double last season, and were full value for their win on Saturday in a game played at a fast pace. Maree are renowned for a die that likes to get up and down the court quickly, but they met their match in that regards on Saturday, and will need to take lessons from that defeat going forward.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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