Maigh Cuilinn’s spirited effort in Killarney on Saturday night ultimately fell short as the hosts leveraged their size and speed to secure an 84–77 victory. For Maigh Cuilinn, the result came in a week filled with challenges, including the absence of head coach Paul O’Brien, who remained at home following the birth of his first child, and veteran big man Dylan Cunningham, whose presence was sorely missed under the boards.

Killarney’s dynamic duo of Mikah Blackwell and Darnell Snyers proved too much to handle. Blackwell, a 6’6″ American forward, showcased his athleticism with 26 points and 13 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass, which proved pivotal in a game dominated by second-chance opportunities. Meanwhile, Snyers, Killarney’s Belgian point guard, demonstrated blistering speed and scoring ability, finishing as the game’s top scorer with 31 points.

The visitors struggled to contain Killarney’s offensive rebounding, conceding 19 second-chance opportunities. Those rebounds not only gave Killarney easy scoring chances but also stymied Maigh Cuilinn’s ability to run the fast break—an area where they have excelled in recent games.

A Tough Start Without Key Figures
Maigh Cuilinn began brightly, staying within five points of Killarney after the first quarter, 21–16. However, it quickly became evident that they were relying heavily on their perimeter play and struggled to find answers in the paint. The absence of Dylan Cunningham, who often anchors the team’s interior defense and rebounding, loomed large.

In the second quarter, Killarney seized control with an 11-0 run that turned a tight contest into a one-sided affair. By halftime, the hosts held a commanding 47–33 lead, and Blackwell had already registered a double-double. His mix of power and agility proved a constant threat, while Snyers sliced through the Maigh Cuilinn defense with ease.

Maigh Cuilinn did stabilize in the third quarter, playing Killarney almost evenly, but they failed to make any significant dent in the deficit. Trailing by 15 entering the final frame, the visitors showed resilience, outscoring Killarney 25–17 in the fourth quarter. However, the damage done earlier in the game left them too much to overcome.

Positives Amid Challenges
Despite the defeat, there were bright spots for Maigh Cuilinn. Antonio Molina led the scoring with 17 points, and Ivan Basic added 16 in a solid all-around display. The standout performance, however, came from youngster Cian Walsh. The emerging talent stepped up with 11 points, providing a glimpse of the team’s future on a night when leading scorer Grant Olsson was limited to just six points due to a calf injury.

Maigh Cuilinn’s resilience and determination to fight until the end reflect the character of this team. With coach O’Brien and Dylan Cunningham expected to return for the next game, they will aim to bounce back as they embark on a critical stretch of home games before Christmas.

Pivotal Home Stretch Ahead
This road game marked Maigh Cuilinn’s sole away fixture in November. They now gear up for a crucial three-game home stint that could shape their playoff ambitions:

• November 23: vs. Drogheda Wolves, University of Galway Kingfisher, 7:30 PM
• November 30: vs. Waterford Vikings, Spórtlann Mhichael Mhóir, Leitir Móir, 5:00 PM
• December 14: vs. Ulster University, Knocknacarra Community Centre, 3:00 PM

With home-court advantage and a healthier squad, Maigh Cuilinn will look to solidify their playoff seeding during this decisive run.

Maigh Cuilinn Scorers: Antonio Molina 17, Ivan Basic 16, Aitor Perez 12, Cian Walsh 11, Liam Moloney 7, Grant Olsson 6, Rhys Plower 4, John Hynes 2, Rory O’Sullivan 1, Sean Candon 1, James Loughnane, Donagh McDonagh.

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