Neptune survive relegation play-off with Killorglin and remain in the SuperLeague for another season

Energywise Ireland Neptune 81 

Flexachem Killorglin 78 

A magnificent second half from Energywise Ireland Neptune saw them win a thrilling Men’s Super league relegation play off against Killorglin at the UL Arena on Sunday.

Killorglin dominated the early exchanges but Neptune inspired by a superb display from Roy Downey in the third quarter found a way back and in the end ran out deserving winners.

The opening exchanges saw Neptune quickest from the blocks and with Adon Gregorio in superb form they raced into a nine- point lead in the third minute before a Killorglin time out steadied the ship.

On the return the former Neptune star Jordan Blount drained a basket, and three more unanswered baskets reduced the deficit to the minimum 13-12.

The one player that was posing Neptune all sorts of problems was Marquez Ellis and he contributed 10 points in the opening nine minutes that saw his side lead by the minimum.

In the last Neptune possession Nil Sabata came up trumps with a stunning move to the hoop that edged his side into a 19-18 lead entering the second quarter.

On the restart Neptune were shocked as Killorglin came out battling with Eke Okeke nailed a three pointer and a basket from Liam Croke surged the Kerry side into a four- point lead.

As the quarter matured Killorgin began exposing Neptune with soft baskets as their defence was non-existent and midway through the quarter they raced into a nine- point lead.

In the closing minutes to the interval Killorglin looked in total control but late Neptune baskets helped reduced the deficit to six points 43-37 with the game very much in the balance.

Jordan Henderson gave Neptune the perfect start with a stunning three pointer as the deficit was suddenly reduced to three points.

The tempo reduced again for Neptune and with American Mike Hayes struggling with a hamstring injury it was evident he was going to make little impression on the scoring front.

Killorglin looked to cruising midway through the quarter when commanding a ten- point lead as the Cork side looked a side that had run out of ideas at both ends of the court.

To be fair Neptune despite their problems with injuries Adon nailed a three pointer as the deficit was reduced to six points.

Suddenly Neptune inspired by the outstanding Roy Downey came storming back and when Adon nailed a three pointer with two minutes remaining Neptune edged into a two- point lead.

Downey followed up with a three pointer and entering the final quarter they had a four- point lead 61-57.

Coming down the stretch the tension in the arena was at fever pitch and with five minutes remaining Neptune still had a five- point lead following a stunning Adon shot outside the paint.

The closing minutes saw Blount receive a harsh fifth foul and Neptune held firm much to the relief of their huge support at the Limerick venue.

Scorers for Energywise Ireland Neptune: S Henderson 26, A Gregorio 20, M Hayes 10, R Downey 8.

Flexachem Killorglin: M Ellis 31, E Okeke 22, J Blount 6.

Energywise Ireland Neptune: M Hayes, G Adon, J Henderson, E Lenihan, E Nelson, R Downey, K O’Donoghue, N Sabata, J Scannell, P Osagie, D O’Rourke.

Killorglin: E Evans, E Bolger, R Ghanem, D Wall, P Lanipekun, E Grudov, E Okeke, J Blount, L Croke, C Buckley, G Buckley, M Ellis.

Referees: J Dooley (Portlaoise), M Malysko (Dublin), K Robinson (Dublin).