Keane’s Killorglin get their season off to the perfect start

KEANE’S Supervalu registered their first win in their opening game of this year’s National League season after beating Team Kilkenny away in a physical and fast paced game.

Kilkenny were first to register a score Saturday night but following a foul Garni Garcia scored his two free throws to get Keane’s rolling. A three from Declan Wall followed by two successful free throws from Ian McLoughlin helped keep Keanes in touch in a quarter that was generally basket for basket. The first quarter finished with Keanes slightly ahead 27 to 22.

The second quarter Kilkenny were again first off the mark with a three. Kilkenny dominated in this quarter out scoring Keane’s Supervalu by eight points, while Keanes’ defence couldn’t halt Kilkenny’s Matt Van Pelts shooting.

Keanes stayed in touch with some good shooting from Ian McLaughlin and also scores from Saulius and Kev Grey. The first half finished with one score separating the sides, 47 to 44 to Team Kilkenny. A strong first half performance by Ian McLaughlin and Kev Grey both clocking up 11 points each in the first half.

It took until third quarter for Keanes’ defence to take hold on Kilkenny’s shooting and which some great steals from Keanes players it marked beginning of the turning point of the game.

With Declan wall great defence on Matt Van pelt it halted his scoring and Wall himself having a great third quarter racking up eleven points including two threes along with great defence from Seamus Brosnan, Andrew Fitzgerald, Saulius and Garni Keanes Supervalu out scored Kilkenny by 10 points and led 68 to 61 at the end of the third quarter.

Keanes Supervalu continued to dominate in the final quarter and their strong defence helped curtail Kilkenny, feeding the ball into Garni and Andrew Fitzgerald inside we finished strong on a score of 90 to 77.

A great win away for our team and a first league defeat in two years at home for Kilkenny. Top scorers for Keanes Supervalu Declan Wall 26, Garni Garcia 18 and Kev Grey 16.

Next Saturday Keanes Supervalu host Kestrels from Portarlington in Killorglin Sports Complex tip off 7.15pm.