DATE: Saturday, 29 November 2025
VENUE: Kingfisher Arena, Galway
SCORE: Maigh Cuilinn 73 – Portlaoise Panthers 58

Maigh Cuilinn delivered their most complete and composed performance of the season on Saturday evening, securing a richly deserved 73–58 win over league leaders Portlaoise Panthers. From the opening tip, the home side played with clarity, control and collective purpose, producing four consistent quarters — 17–16, 18–11, 20–16 and 18–15 — to claim back-to-back victories and move to 4–6 on the year.

They did so by setting the tone defensively. Maigh Cuilinn came out in a high-tempo man-to-man scheme that immediately disrupted Portlaoise, who were already reeling from the pre-game loss of key 6’7’’ Spanish forward Xabi Arriaga to a shoulder injury. With Arriaga absent, much of the scoring burden fell on American point guard Mike Wallace. Maigh Cuilinn’s defensive rotation — a mix of Ivan Basic, Liam Moloney, Rory O’Sullivan and John Hynes — ensured every one of Wallace’s 19 points was earned the hard way. Portlaoise were hurried, harassed and kept off balance throughout, rarely finding clean rhythm against a ferocious home effort.

At the other end, Portlaoise sat largely in a 2–3 zone, but Maigh Cuilinn shredded it with patience, sharp passing and relentless work on the glass. They finished with a remarkable 19 offensive rebounds, repeatedly punishing the Panthers’ failure to secure possessions. Much of that work came from a frontcourt trio who were immense all night: John Hackett, who grabbed 10 rebounds; Dylan Cunningham, who hauled in 9; and Grant Olsson, who matched Cunningham with 9 boards while also top-scoring with 22 points.

A pivotal spell came early in the third quarter. Maigh Cuilinn held a 35–27 lead at half-time but Portlaoise emerged with renewed purpose, rattling off a 6–0 run to close the gap to 35–33. For several minutes the visitors played the better basketball, and the game threatened to turn. Then, almost abruptly, Maigh Cuilinn seized it back. Olsson hit back-to-back threes and then a tough pull-up two, Antonio Molina added another basket, and when Ivan Basic drilled a three soon after, the lead had ballooned to 48–36. A Portlaoise surge had become a Maigh Cuilinn statement, and from that point the home side never looked back.

It was the definition of a team win. Alongside Olsson’s offensive brilliance, Molina added 16 composed points, Basic chipped in 14 including that vital third-quarter three, while Brendan Hardiman, Liam Moloney and Hackett all struck big blows at key moments. Defensive hustle, second-chance creation and smart ball movement meant every rotation player contributed meaningfully.

For a team that had lost six straight only a fortnight ago, Maigh Cuilinn now look revitalised — urgent, connected and confident in their identity. They have a weekend off before two significant tests to close out 2025: away to Templeogue on 13 December, followed by a home clash with Killarney Lakers on 27 December. Both opponents sit near Maigh Cuilinn in the standings, and both will offer important indicators of whether this surge is the beginning of a genuine playoff push in 2026.

Maigh Cuilinn scorers: Grant Olsson 22, Antonio Molina 16, Ivan Basic 14, Brendan Hardiman 5, Liam Moloney 5, John Hackett 5, Stephen Tummon 3, Rory O’Sullivan 3, John Hynes, Dylan Cunningham, Ray O’Cnaimhsi, Luka Simovic.

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