Maigh Cuilinn 39 (21)
Killorglin 87 (39)

A woeful offensive output put paid to any chance Maigh Cuilinn had of getting their first win of the Basketball Ireland Men’s Superleague season when they failed to register 40 points in a 39 v 87 loss to Killorglin at home.

An energetic start from Maigh Cuilinn held the indications of what was to follow. Several good offensive moves created chances close to the ring which Maigh Cuilinn missed only to get the rebound and miss again. The difficulties shooting were to continue for the entire game with returns of 7, 14, 10 and 8 from the four quarters respectively.

Maigh Cuilinn can be relatively satisfied that their defensive effort was not too bad. They held a good Killorglin side to 39 points in the first half and only for the steady stream of free throws Killorglin got, arising from increased Maigh Cuilinn frustration, the men from the Kingdom never truly had a rhythm of their own.

It all added up to a rather forgettable occasion and one most spectators and players alike are likely to be keen to forget.

Maigh Cuilinn had entered the contest without two of their best players in Grant Olsson and James Loughnane and were dealt a blow when dynamic wing player James Connaire went down with an ankle injury to start the third quarter.

Already trailing by 18 at the half, when Connaire went down to start the third quarter, it essentially ended any hope Maigh Cuilinn had of a comeback win and in truth the game drifted from there to a bleak inevitability, Killorglin comfortably winning the second half.

Maigh Cuilinn will hope that a first trip to the capital this coming weekend, when they venture to Clontarf’s IWA centre for a meeting with Killester, will spark what has been a difficult start to the season.

The return of American Grant Olsson would go a long way to lighting that spark and the Maigh Cuilinn faithful will have fingers crossed that he can be fit.

The next home game is the weekend after, a 7pm Saturday evening match up with Tralee Warriors in the University of Galway Sports Centre.

Maigh Cuilinn scorers: Kyle Cunningham (8), Joseph Tummon (8), James Connaire (7), Anze Kos (6), Ayberk Taylan (5), Dylan Cunningham (3), Dara Kenna (1), Mateo Liberatore Dargam (1), Liam Maloney, Donagh McDonagh, Rory O’Sullivan

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