Maigh Cuilinn 65 v Scotts Lakers Killarney 47
University of Galway, 3 February 2025

Maigh Cuilinn delivered their most complete defensive performance of the season, securing a commanding 65-47 victory over Scotts Lakers Killarney in front of a lively home crowd. The result marks an excellent bank holiday weekend for Maigh Cuilinn, following up their win over Team Northwest with another strong showing at the University of Galway Kingfisher.

From the outset, Maigh Cuilinn set the tone with aggressive defense and high energy, edging a competitive first quarter 17-14. The game’s defining stretch came in the second quarter, where Maigh Cuilinn put together an exceptional spell to outscore Killarney 21-8. Aitor Perez led the charge in this period, scoring 10 of his 17 points, while Grant Olsson was instrumental in shutting down Killarney’s key offensive threat, Mikah Blackwell. Olsson also added four points of his own in the second quarter as Maigh Cuilinn established a commanding 38-22 halftime lead.

Killarney showed resilience in the third quarter, narrowly outscoring Maigh Cuilinn 15-14, but the damage had already been done. Maigh Cuilinn continued to hold firm defensively, ensuring that Killarney never gained significant momentum. Despite Blackwell’s best efforts, Maigh Cuilinn’s defense restricted him to just 13 points on inefficient 5-of-17 shooting. The home side’s ability to contain Killarney’s star player was a testament to their disciplined approach, staying in front on drives and sending timely double teams when necessary.

In the final quarter, Maigh Cuilinn controlled proceedings, maintaining their defensive intensity while managing the game effectively. They edged the quarter 13-10, comfortably closing out a well-earned victory. Their dominance on the boards was another key factor, as they outrebounded Killarney by 14, including a crucial 17 offensive rebounds. These extra possessions allowed Maigh Cuilinn to maintain their lead in a relatively low-scoring contest.

Head coach Paul O’Brien will be particularly pleased with the contributions from across the roster, as all 12 players saw meaningful court time. Youngsters such as Cian Walsh, Donagh McDonagh, Rhys Plower, and Eoin Cleary played key roles in sustaining the defensive pressure. Walsh, in particular, impressed with 10 points, while Olsson led all scorers with 24.

After blowing the game open in the second quarter, Maigh Cuilinn never looked like surrendering their lead, stretching it to as many as 25 points at one stage. The performance underlined their ability to play high-intensity basketball on both ends of the court, a positive sign as they continue their campaign.

With back-to-back wins over the weekend, Maigh Cuilinn have built strong momentum and will look to carry their defensive excellence forward into their upcoming fixtures.

Maigh Cuilinn’s scoring breakdown: Grant Olsson 24, Aitor Perez 17, Cian Walsh 10, Antonio Molina 4, Liam Moloney 3, John Hynes 2, Dylan Cunningham 2, Rhys Plower 2, James Loughnane 1, Eoin Cleary, Donagh McDonagh, Rory O’Sullivan

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