Limerick Celtics make it back-to-back BIDL Men’s titles with slender win over UCD Marian

LIMERICK Celtics made it back-to-back BIDL Men’s titles, thanks to a narrow 70-68 win over UCD Marian at the National Basketball Arena on Saturday.

Philip Kearney’s double-double performance of 15 points and 16 rebounds for Limerick Celtics saw him pick up the MVP award.

There was little between the sides in the opening quarter, Limerick Celtics were marginally ahead, 17-14, at the end of it thanks to back-to-back Ruairi Cronin baskets in the closing minutes.

The second quarter was a low scoring affair in the opening exchanges, James Killen’s three brought it level at 17-17 apiece in the second minute.

A Luke Gilleran three just before the midpoint opened up a five-point lead for UCD Marian, 23-18.

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A Gilleran layup with a minute to go had UCD Maran 35-27 up, he had 10 points in the first half. A Viktor Lovic basket in the final seconds made it a 10-point game, 37-27, at half-time.

There was a third quarter turnaround by Limerick Celtics, Matthew Barry’s three brought the game level at 43-43 with a little over three minutes gone. Barry had 10 points in the quarter. A pair of Cronin free throws in the final minute helped Celtics into a 57-53 lead at the end of the third, they’d outscored their opponents 30-16 in the quarter.

Four minutes into the fourth quarter and Limerick Celtics stretched their advantage to eight points, 63-55, after another Barry basket.

A shotclock buzzer beating three from Ruben Bolger and another from Gilleran helped reduce it to a four-point game, 65-61, with 3’12 left on the clock and it prompted a Limerick Celtics timeout.

A Kearney layup followed to settle things for Paul Kennedy’s side. It remained tight down the stretch, Barry slotted one of his two free throws to make it 70-65 with 33 seconds to go. Bolger landed a three for UCD Marian with 2.6 seconds to go, but they needed the ball back and it was too little too late, as Limerick Celtics claimed the win.

Speaking after the game, co-captain Eoghan Donaghy was asked about securing back-to-back BIDL Men’s titles and said: "It’s unbelievable, this group of lads they’re literally just a bunch of friends playing basketball. Some of us play Super League and it’s really, really tough playing Super League and coming in and being able to play BIDL is great.

"Everyone is developing, they’re able to play, they’re able to get minutes. Philip (Kearney) is playing unbelievably well in the Super League, he comes in here and plays unbelievable.

"Matthew Barry is in and out of Super League comes in and shows up today, hits a load of shots, so it’s just unbelievable. It’s great for the club as well, it’s a family-run club, so it great to have another trophy."

Quarter Scores: Q1: 14-17, Q2: 23-10, Q3: 16-30, Q4: 15-13

Game Scores: Q1: 14-17, Q2: 37-27, Q3: 53-57, Q4: 68-70

UCD Marian:

Daniel Rowley (5), Ruben Bolger (16), Tom Maguire (3), Luke Gilleran (19), James Killen (3), Ruaidri Mac Donncha (4), Conall O’Sullivan (0), Donal Ring (3), Eoin McHale (13), Viktor Lovic (2)

Head Coach: Gareth O’Reilly     

Limerick Celtics:

Eoghan Donaghy (12), Martin Frawley (9), Michael Cleary (0), Matthew Barry (16), Ruairi Cronin (14), Patryk Rejkowicz (4), Philip Kearney (15), Max Turski (0), Cian Gleeson (0).

Head Coach: Paul Kennedy