Killorglin edge President’s Cup win in Donegal

PRESIDENTS CUP FIRST ROUND

LYIT Donegal 82 Keanes SV Killorglin 84

KEANES SuperValu Killorglin made the long journey north last weekend to play Letterkenny IT Donegal in the first round of the Presidents Cup. Under normal circumstances, Killorglin would have been the bookies favourites going into this game, as Donegal had lost four out of their first six league games, whereas Killorglin have a 100% record with four wins from four. However, Killorglin travelled with an understrength panel, with young players Eoin Evans, Eoin O’Sullivan and David McCarthy all unavailable for various reasons, while experienced campaigner Ian McLaughlin wasn’t able to travel due to his wife being due their first baby any day.

It was Killorglin who got off the amrk fastest, with a lay up straight off the tip off from Conor Flynn but Donegal, mainly through the outside shooting of Chas Walter, matched Killorglin score for score in the first quarter. Killorglins big players Darragh Jones and Ivan Bogdanovic were playing very strongly under the boards but it was LYIT Donegal who ended the quarter in the lead on a score of 24-19.

Both teams were slow to get going in the second quarter, but Killorglin then started to get a hold of the ball, mainly through the rebounding of Mark St Fort. The ball was being recycled to Killroglins main shooters very quickly and three pointers from Conor Flynn, Daniel Jackobitus and the forever young Declan Wall saw the teams tied at half time, on a score of 42-42.

Great team work by Keanes Supervalu Killorglin saw them grandually get a grip on the game in Q3. Coach ignas Sijanus was using his bench to good effect and American Kevin Grey was showing his quality, with some beautiul off loads which was leading to easy lay up scores for Killorglin. Darragh Jones was also hitting top form, being the main benefactor of Greys passing, and the end result was a score of 67-60 at the end of the third quarter, in favour of Killorglin.

The last quarter was a bit messy, becoming in effect a typical cup match, where the winner takes all. Both teams went hell for leather to get the win. LYIT clawed back the KIllorlgin lead but buckets at the end from big Croatation Ivan Bogdanovic and Kevin Grey saw Killorglin just about hang on for the win by a single basket.

The reward for the win is a trip to Killkenny in the next round, but first Keane’s must face a tricky away trip to Limerick IT Celtics, who have the league’s top scorer, Matt St Armour, in their ranks.

TOP SCORERS

LYIT DONEGAL: Chas Walter 18 pts, John McGill 16 pts, Jordon McCleeland 16 pts

KEANES SUPERVALU KILLORGLIN: Daniel Jokubaitus 19 pts, Darragh Jones 17pts, Ivan Bogdanovic 16 pts