Champions Ballincollig off to a winning start but opening day defeats for Neptune and UCC Glanmire

Champions Ballincollig got their new Super League season off to a winning start with a hard- fought low scoring 70-68 win at Limerick Celtics.

Ballincollig were quickest from the traps and with American Jaye Buckley doing well with his neat jumpers they deservedly led 24-17 at the end of the first quarter.

On the restart, both teams struggled on the scoring front and with Celtics edging the quarter 14-13 Ballincollig still had a six- point cushion at the break.

The third quarter was competitive but Ballincollig without excelling stayed in control and as the fourth quarter loomed, they increased their lead to nine points.

On the restart backed by their loyal fans the shannonsiders increased the tempo and when Ruari Cronin drained a monstrous three pointer with seven minutes remaining the lead was reduced to four points.

Ballincollig failed to score in the closing couple of minutes as Celtics continued to pose them problems, but this was all about gaining a win on the road minus one American as the Cork side held out for the all= important win.

Jaye Buckley led the Ballincollig scoring with a 23 point tally followed by Alex Belver on 13 and Adrian O’Sullivan with 11 points.

A disastrous second quarter by Energywise Ireland Neptune that saw them outscored 35-17 proved their downfall in their opening round defeat away to UCD Marian going down 105-93.

The opening quarter was tight but with the UCD American Tanner Graham in good shooting form the Dublin side commanded a 26-24 lead entering the second quarter.

On the restart Neptune were simply blitzed and a late Isiah Taylor three pointer helped UCD have a 20- point interval cushion 61-41.

Credit to Neptune they regrouped and with Jalen Hodge and Sean McCarthy driving the team forward they managed to reduce the deficit to 13 points with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

UCD looked to be struggling and a late Eli Lenihan basket brought Neptune to within 9 points 76-67 with the final period looming.

The Blackpool outfit kept battling and when Kendal Taylor drained a stunning three pointer three minutes into the quarter the lead was down to five points.

The Neptune pressure continued and with five minutes remaining UCD were holding out for dear life as Neptune only trailed by four points 82-78.

Coming down the stretch Neptune fatigued as UCD executed key baskets to secure the points after a truly wonderful encounter.

The Neptune coach Adam Drummond will be disappointed with the result but encouraged with his teams battling with Jalen Hodge leading their scoring on 25 points followed by American Kendal Taylor on 22.

In the Women’s Super League, Career Decisions UCC Glanmire travelled to Dublin for a clash with the champions Trinity Meteors and almost created a shock before going down 65-63.

The Dublin outfit got off to a good start and inspired by some good outside shooting from Aisling Moran looked in control entering the second quarter when commanding a six- point lead 18-12.

To be fair, Glanmire have lost their stalwarts Aine McKenna and Claire Rockall and rookies like Katie Quinlan and Katie Mae O’Neill made their debuts playing at the top tier for the first time.

The one plus for coach Mark Scannell is that his American pairing of Tasia Jordan (20) and Emani Jenkins (26) look decent professionals but they trailed 36-31 at the break.

The sides shared 28 points in the third quarter and entering the final period the game was finely balanced.

Coming down the stretch both sides went for the jugular but with 17 seconds remaining and the game tied at 63 points each Irish senior international Hazel Finn found the winning basket to break the hearts of the Leesider’s.