Keane’s Killorglin make it thirteen wins from thirteen games

MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

KSV Killorglin 82 Ulster University Elks 67

KEANE’S SuperValu Killorglin made the long journey north to Belfast on Saturday to take on Ulster University Elks in the latest round of the men’s National Basketball league Division One. Going into the game, KIllorglin sat at the top of the table, with 12 wins from 12 while Elks went into the game lying in sixth place, with 6 wins from 11 games.

Killorglin, therefore, would have been favourites going into the game based purely on their league form but they travelled with a depleted squad of only 8 players, as the younger members of their team had exams, so they knew going to Belfast they had a real game on their hands.

The first quarter was a real ding dong battle. Both Daniel Jackubitus and Declan Wall scoring early for Killorglin, with immediate replies from Elks. Both teams were struggling defensively and at the end of quarter one, it was Keanes SuperValu Killorglin 21 Ulster University Elks 21.

The second quarter saw Kevin Grey open with a three pointer for Killorglin and with the help of some big rebounds from Ivan Bogdanovic and Darragh Jones, Killorglin managed to open up a small lead on their norther opponents. Half time score was Keanes SuperValu Killorglin 44 Ulster University Elks 41.

The third quarter saw Killorglin start to get control of the ball and Elks outside shooting, which had been very strong up to this point, started to desert them a little. Daniel Jacubitus and Kevin Grey both made big three pointers and by the end of the quarter, Killorglin had increased their lead to 8 points, 51 to 59.

Elks gave it everything in teh last quarter but Killorglins superior fitness, along with their vast experience, made tehm a tough team to break down. Scores from Declan Wall, Mark St Fort and Darragh Jones ensured that Killorglin maintained their excellent record going into the Christmas break. KILLORGLIN’S Under 20 men hosted Ballincollig in the Killorglin Sports Complex in the quarter-final of the National Cup. KCYMS won this game 79-46 and this now means that Killorglin will have three teams in the semi-finals of the National Cups on the weekend of January 6.

Keanes SuperValu Killorglin men will take on Neptune at 8.30pm on Friday, January 5; KCYMS Under 20 men take on Kubs on Saturday, January 6 at 10am; and KCYMS under 18 men take on Templeogue on Sunday, January 7 at 1pm. All three games are on in Neptune stadium, Cork.

Killorglin U-20s beat Ballincollig to reach National Cup semi-finals