Tipp Talons 72 v Maigh Cuilinn 82

In a tense encounter on the road, Maigh Cuilinn held off a spirited Tipp Talons comeback to claim a hard-fought 82–72 victory. Despite pulling ahead by 12 points at halftime, Maigh Cuilinn’s lead was tested late in the game as Tipp Talons found their shooting range, clawing back to within a single basket by the fourth quarter’s midpoint.

The first quarter had shown vulnerabilities in Maigh Cuilinn’s defense, allowing Talons easy access to the basket. But Maigh Cuilinn’s shooting, led by Grant Olsson, who had a game-high 31 points, took control in the second quarter. Olsson, Aitor Perez, and Donagh McDonagh each nailed early threes, pushing Maigh Cuilinn into a 33–23 lead midway through the period. By halftime, Maigh Cuilinn looked in command, up 45–33.

The third quarter, however, saw Tipp Talons surge back into contention. A series of long-range shots brought the home team within striking distance, and Maigh Cuilinn, who struggled to maintain momentum out of the break, saw their advantage wane. By the fourth quarter, it was clear the game would come down to crucial moments.

With Maigh Cuilinn’s lead down to a single basket, Olsson hit a critical three-pointer, quickly followed by another from Ivan Basic. These back-to-back shots combined with tight defensive play down the stretch allowed Maigh Cuilinn to re-establish control, eventually securing the ten-point win, 82–72.

Head coach Paul O’Brien was pleased with his team’s resilience: “We were challenged tonight, and we responded. There’s still work to be done on defense, but the team showed heart in those closing minutes.”

Maigh Cuilinn Scorers: Grant Olsson 31, Aitor Perez 15, Liam Moloney 11, Ivan Basic 11, Antonio Molina 8, Dylan Cunningham 3, Donagh McDonagh 3, Rory O’Sullivan, John Hynes, Rhys Plower.

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