Maigh Cuilinn 85 – 73 Malahide
SpĂłrtlann Naomh Anna, Leitir MĂłir – Saturday 7 March 2026
After 21 regular-season games spread across six months, the entire campaign now comes down to one final weekend for Maigh Cuilinn following a stirring comeback victory over Malahide on Saturday night.
Trailing by eight points at halftime and still chasing entering the final quarter, the Connemara side produced a dramatic late surge to win 85–73 and keep their playoff hopes alive heading into the final round of fixtures.
The night belonged to veteran James Loughnane, who delivered a performance that will live long in club memory. Twenty-one years after first pulling on a Maigh Cuilinn jersey in a Senior Men’s National League game, Loughnane proved decisive once again, finishing with 20 points — including an extraordinary 11-point burst in the fourth quarter.
Back: Haulie Dowd Assistant Coach, Fergal McAndrew, John Cunningham, Cian Nihill, Adrian Walsh, Nollaig Cunningham, Garnett Griffin, Gerry Nihill.
Front: Padraig Cregg, Michael Dowd, Glenn Hynes, Gearoid Hynes, James Loughnane
Malahide started brightly and showed immediately why they are one of the league’s most capable offensive teams. Romonn Nelson and Christian McDonnell found early rhythm, while the visitors’ ball movement ensured a spread of scorers throughout the game. They edged the opening quarter 21–15 and followed it with a 20–18 second period to carry a deserved 41–33 lead into halftime.
For much of the first half, Maigh Cuilinn struggled to slow Malahide’s attacking flow. Eight different visiting players would register points across the contest, and the home side found themselves chasing momentum.
The third quarter hinted at a shift. Maigh Cuilinn tightened defensively and began to chip away, winning the period 17–14. Yet entering the final quarter they still trailed and needed something special to swing the night.
That moment arrived in the fourth.
Over a breathtaking six-minute stretch, Maigh Cuilinn unleashed a 23–12 run that completely transformed the contest. Youngster Liam Moloney was a key catalyst, injecting pace and composure as the hosts began to find their rhythm. Then Loughnane took centre stage.
The veteran guard drilled three three-pointers in quick succession, sending the crowd into raptures before finishing the sequence with a strong drive to the basket that pushed Maigh Cuilinn into a 73–67 lead with under four minutes remaining. It proved the decisive blow.
From there, Malahide — so fluent offensively earlier — found no answer. Their defensive frailties, which have troubled them throughout the season, resurfaced at the worst possible moment. With Loughnane, Grant Olsson and Ivan Basic all finding space and confidence, the home side closed the game out emphatically.
Olsson led the scoring with 24 points, while Basic added 17 in another influential display. Moloney’s 11 points reflected his growing importance in the rotation, and Brendan Hardiman’s work inside ensured the hosts controlled the closing minutes.
The win sets up a compelling finale to the season. Maigh Cuilinn now travel to face Portlaoise Panthers next Saturday evening in St Mary’s Hall (7pm). The equation is simple: if Maigh Cuilinn win and Titans lose, Maigh Cuilinn will return to the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
When the teams last met in November, Maigh Cuilinn recorded a convincing 73–58 victory in Galway. Replicating that result on the road would complete a remarkable late-season surge and keep their campaign alive.
For now, though, the story belongs to a veteran who rolled back the years — and a team that refuses to let the season end quietly.
Maigh Cuilinn scorers: Grant Olsson 24, James Loughnane 20, Ivan Basic 17, Liam Moloney 11, Brendan Hardiman 5, Rory O’Sullivan 4, Dylan Cunningham 4, John Hynes, Ray O’Cnaimhsi, Luka Simovic.
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