National League Men’s Division 1 – Saturday 18 October, University of Galway Sports Arena

Game Sponsor: The Western Hotel

Game Ball Sponsor: youronlne.training

Maigh Cuilinn suffered their first loss of the 2025/26 campaign on Saturday night as visiting Tolka Rovers left the University of Galway Sports Arena with a deserved 80–73 victory after a flowing, high-tempo game featuring two unbeaten sides.

The first quarter set the tone for an open and watchable contest. With neither team starting anyone taller than 6’6”, the game was mobile and attacking throughout. For Maigh Cuilinn, James Loughnane was the early spark — drilling a three, drawing fouls and repeatedly getting to the free-throw line. John Hackett, making his first start of the season, looked right at home and brought welcome flexibility on the defensive end. Tolka, however, matched every punch and repeatedly raced out in transition, with Daniel Ayoade pouring in 10 points in the opening period to help edge the visitors ahead 19–18.

The second quarter lost some rhythm as both sides were subjected to extremely tight officiating, with the referees’ whistles outpacing crowd reaction. The team that handled the disruption better was Tolka, thanks largely to Juwan Jones, who erupted for 11 points in the period to push the Dubliners four clear at the half, 40–36. Maigh Cuilinn also suffered a blow when captain Grant Olsson picked up his third foul early in the quarter and was forced to sit for extended minutes.

Regular Maigh Cuilinn supporters will know that the third quarter has been the side’s Achilles heel over the past year and more, but this time they emerged with real intent and played arguably their best stretch of the night: moving the ball crisply, defending with greater intensity, and creating high-quality looks. Ivan Basic was superb in this stretch, knocking down tough shots and spearheading the comeback attempt. Yet, two glaring shortcomings blunted the impact of that good work — Maigh Cuilinn leaked 10 points from offensive rebounds to a Tolka side conceding height, and they consistently lost the footrace in transition. For all their improvement, the quarter ended tied 19–19, leaving the home side still four down entering the last.

As it turned out, that was Maigh Cuilinn’s window. Having failed to cut into the lead during their purple patch, they could not restrain Tolka a second time. Open three-pointers that might have swung the game refused to drop for the hosts, while Tolka re-established tempo and looked the fresher and more decisive group down the stretch, closing out an impressive road win 80–73.

The schedule now tightens dramatically for Maigh Cuilinn with a Galway derby double-header looming. They travel to face rivals Maree in Calasanctius College, Oranmore next Saturday at 7pm, before returning to the University of Galway Sports Arena on Bank Holiday Monday for a rare afternoon tip-off (3pm) against Limerick Eagles. Both games offer a chance to respond quickly — and to remind the division that one setback will not derail their ambitions.

Maigh Cuilinn scorers: Ivan Basic 17, Aitor Perez 13, James Loughnane 10, Antonio Molina 7, John Hackett 6, Grant Olsson 6, Eoin Cleary 4, Rory O’Sullivan 3, Liam Moloney 3, John Hynes 2, Dylan Cunningham 2, Ray Ó Cnáimhsí.

Categories: Men's Superleague