Maree on the double but no joy for Galway’s other clubs

The Maree BC side which defeated Killorglin in the Superleague on Saturday. Back row, from left: John Finn (assistant coach), Kenneth Hansberry, Ciaran Blaney, Luke McInerney, Niels Bunschoten, Paul Freeman, Sean Sellers, and Mike Lynch (coach). Front: Ciaran Harte, Eoin Rockall, Stephen Commins, John Burke, Toms Fabricus, and Charlie Crowley.

placeholder image — The Maree BC side which defeated Killorglin in the Superleague on Saturday. Back row, from left: John Finn (assistant coach), Kenneth Hansberry, Ciaran Blaney, Luke McInerney, Niels Bunschoten, Paul Freeman, Sean Sellers, and Mike Lynch (coach). Front: Ciaran Harte, Eoin Rockall, Stephen Commins, John Burke, Toms Fabricus, and Charlie Crowley.

MAREE BC will enjoy the festive season after another national league double at the weekend, but there was little festive cheers for the three other Galway sides who all remain rooted to the bottom of their respective divisions following defeat.

Moycullen look in danger of relegation from the Superleague after a heavy defeat to Tralee Warriors – their ninth loss of the season; NUIG Mystics remain the only team in the country without a win and they also look like dropping out of the Women’s Superleague; while Titans lost by ten points to KUBS in the men’s First Division.

SUPERLEAGUE

Maree 91

Killorglin 84

Maree climbed six points clear of the relegation zone – and to within six points of the top-4 places, with a gritty win at home to Killorglin of Kerry on Saturday night.

Having stunned league leaders, Belfast Star, away from home the previous weekend, it was important for Mike Lynch’s outfit that they backed up that win against a side level on points with them in the table, and they did so in style, with a near 47% shooting success.

Maree laid the groundwork for this win in the first-half on Saturday, taking a 12-point (51-39) lead into half-time in a game which saw four of its player hit double figures, and eight players in all finding the basket.

Niels Bunschoten was dominant for the home side, capping his performance with a stunning dunk as he ended the game with 21 points and 11 rebounds, though he had plenty of support from the likes of Paul Freeman (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Eoin Rockall (17 points, three steals).

Killorglin did put them under pressure in the second-half, closing the gap to 57-51 midway through the third quarter, and to four points (74-70) with eight minutes remaining in the fourth, but Maree kept them at bay to record their fourth win of the season.

Their next game is on Saturday week, December 29, when they travel to Dublin to take on a DCU Saints side one place above them in the league table.

Maree: S Sellers (15), E Rockall (17), P Freeman (12), J Burke (2), N Bunschoten (21), S Commins (9), K Hansberry (9), C Crowley (6), L McInerney, T Fabricuss, C Blaney, C Harte.

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

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