Killorglin stage comeback in Maree to reach President’s Cup quarter-finals

KEANES SuperValu Killorglin progressed to the quarter-finals of the Basketball Ireland Presidents Cup after recording a three-point win over defending champions Maree in a hard fought encounter last Saturday in Oranmore, Galway, with Maree registering their first defeat at home in over two years.

The first quarter was very much even with teams going basket for basket through the quarter. A three-pointer from Kev Grey edged Killorglin 14-11 ahead briefly but Maree replied and the quarter finished with the teams on 17 points each.

Killorglin settled with early baskets from Seamus Brosnan, Declan Wall and Garni Garcia, but with just under seven minutes left in the half the teams were level with 24 points each. Maree edged slightly ahead with two scores before Grey drained a three-pointer to keep Killorglin in touch.

Maree went ahead 31-27 but Garni added five unanswered points to regain the lead for the visitors. Baskets were traded again for the final three minutes but finished Maree slightly ahead 44-42 at the interval.

Maree were first off the mark in the third quarter, and continued to extend their lead after four minutes to lead 55-46. Maree added six more points in the next three minutes and were ahead by 10 with under three minutes left in the third but with Grey hitting seven points for Killorglin, Maree’s lead was cut to 61-55 going into the final quarter.

Killorglin opened the scoring in the final quarter with Andrew Fitzgerald but there was an immediate reply from Maree. With Killorglin missing two free throws Maree extended their lead to 12 with just seven minutes left but then the visitors started to rally with the help of their supporters. Garni and Wall cut the lead to six with just over five minutes left, and then Wall landed a three as the Killorglin defence really started to take hold. With just over three minutes to play Wall tied the game at 69 apiece.

Although Maree were on team fouls, Killorglin couldn’t add to their scores until Daragh Jones managed his second free throw and it was the first time Killorglin went ahead in the second half. Garni went to the free throw line and made it 69-73, before Maree scored a three-pointer to make it a grandstand finish but the final play saw Ian McLoughlin score from Garni’s assist Garcia. Top scorers Keanes Supervalu: Kev Grey 26, Declan Wall 23, Garny Garcia 16 Maree: Eoin Rockhall 22, Paulius Pelzius 10, Colm O’Hagan 10

Next weekend National League continues and Keanes Supervalu travel to Portarlington to take on Kestrels 6pm

The next round of Basketball Ireland Hula Hoops President’s Cup is the quarter-final on December 3 where Keanes Supervalu meet Team Kilkenny in The Watershed Kilkenny.

On Sunday, December 4 the club’s Under-18 men host Templeogue in Killorglin Sports Complex in the U-18 Cup quarter-finals; time to be confirmed.