Win keeps Killorglin on top

MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 1A Portlaoise Panthers 60 Keanes Killorglin 73

KEANES Supervalu Killorglin had a long trip on Saturday to Laois to take on Portlaoise Panthers in the latest round of the men’s national league.

The Panthers have had an okay season to date, with six wins from 15 games, while Killorglin went into the game in the same place they have been since the first day of the season, sitting in the no.1 spot with a 14 and 1 record. That said, they hadn’t played since the cup final defeat, and coach Ignas Sijanus was very aware that they needed to brush themselves down, and get back to winning ways.

He showed the importance he was placing on this game with a very strong starting five of Bogdanovic, Grey, Wall, Jacobitus and Darragh Jones and it was the big Croatian centre Ivan Bogdanovic who got the first score of the game, with a basket from the tip off. This was followed by two three pointers from Daniel Jacobitus and experienced point guard Declan Wall, interrupted by two lay ups for Portloaise. With Bogdanovic lording it under the boards from early on, Killorglin were in control of the game and at the end of the first quarter, held a 12-21 lead.

The second quarter was almost the complete opposite of the first. While Killorglin started well enough with another three pointer from Jacubitus, it was definitely the Panthers who were making all the play. Killorglin were playing very sloppy basketball, not finishing lay ups and getting themselves into foul trouble, and Portlaoise were making hay from the line.

By the time the big break arrived, Portlaoise had reduced the deficit to a single basket, with the score line Portlaoise panthers 28 – Keanes Supervalu Killorglin 30. Coach Sijanus needed to sort out his team at the break, because the rumblings from the Killorglin bleachers were that you “don’t win many games scoring 30 a half”.

His words seemed to have the desired effect through, as Killorglin immediately struck for a three, from that man Jacubitus again, but the same player also fouled straight after the score to put himself on 4 fouls and in danger of leaving the game. Kev Grey then demonstrated that small guys can play defence too with a “get out of my house” block which went down very well with the travelling support.

Jackubitus and Wall started to make hay from downtown with a three pointer each followed by a steal and bucket from Jackubitus again – what a find he has been for the men from the Laune. By the time the buzzer went to indicate the end of the third quarter, Killorglin had doubled their score to lead by 20, on as score line of Portlaoise 40 Killorglin 60.

Coach Sijanus emptied his bench for the last and gave his younger players some much needed court time, with Liam Croke, David McCarthy and Ewan Weldon all hitting the floor. Portlaoise started to make inroads on the deficit but the gap was too big, and in the end Killorglin left with the win.

TOP SCORERS

PORTLAOISE Panthers: Tim Stewart 20, Kyle Burke 8, Peter Duignan 6

KSV Killorglin: Daniel Jackubitus 37, Declan Wall 12, Ivan Bogdanovic 10