Maigh Cuilinn men deliver in vital clash with Limerick rivals
IT was a weekend of highs and lows for Galway’s basketball teams across the national leagues, with Maigh Cuilinn’S vital road victory over Limerick Sport Eagles probably the highlight but Titans also impressed with a dominant win as Maree and University of Galway Mystics endured tough outings.
Division One
Maigh Cuilinn 95
Limerick Sport Eagles 85
Maigh Cuilinn’s trip to UL Sports Arena to face Limerick Sport Eagles was one of their most important games of the season, as both teams were tied for the final play-off spot in the Southern Conference.
A fiercely competitive encounter with 19 lead changes kept the healthy attendance of supporters on edge, but it was Maigh Cuilinn who emerged victorious with a 10-point win, solidifying their position in the play-off hunt.
The game started with a bang for Maigh Cuilinn as they raced to a 14-2 lead. However, Eagles’ shooting quickly brought them back into contention, and by the end of the first quarter, they held a narrow 24-22 advantage. Maigh Cuilinn adjusted well, winning the second quarter 25-24 and taking a slim one-point lead into half-time.
The third quarter remained tight, with Maigh Cuilinn edging it 23-20 before pulling away decisively in the fourth, outscoring Eagles 25-17. Veteran Dylan Cunningham was instrumental down the stretch, hitting a key three-pointer and delivering a perfectly timed assist on back-to-back plays that gave Maigh Cuilinn the breathing room they needed to close out the game.
Patrick Lyons, returning from injury for just his second game of the season, was pivotal. Not only did he contribute 16 points, but he also held Eagles’ American star Alex Carlisle well below his season average, anchoring the defensive effort. Lyons’ impact was complemented by a balanced scoring display, with five Maigh Cuilinn players reaching double figures.
Pictured: Maigh Cuilinn's Cian Walsh who scored 12 points in their Division One home win over Limerick Sports Eagles.