Maigh Cuilinn return corribside this Saturday night for a pivotal home clash against Drogheda Wolves at the University of Galway Kingfisher.
The game marks the beginning of a vital three-game home stretch, with playoff seeding for the Basketball Ireland National League starting to take shape as the season nears the halfway point.
Drogheda Wolves come into the game with a mixed record, showcasing moments of brilliance but struggling with consistency. They have notched impressive wins over Ulster University (who were in the Superleague last season ) and Team Northwest, while also pushing the high-flying Killarney Scotts Lakers to a narrow three-point defeat.
The Wolves’ key man is Christian Simmons, a 25-year-old American swingman who is averaging a remarkable 31.4 points per game this season. Simmons, named to Basketball Ireland’s National League First Team last year, when he plied his trade for Team Northwest, is a dual threat with his scoring and rebounding prowess. Maigh Cuilinn’s defence will need to contain him to have a chance at victory.
The Connemara men will be eager to bounce back after a tough 84–77 road loss to Killarney last weekend, a game in which they competed admirably despite the absence of head coach Paul O’Brien, who missed the trip following the birth of his first child.
Maigh Cuilinn fought valiantly but were ultimately outmatched by Killarney’s size and athleticism, particularly on the offensive boards. The home side grabbed 19 offensive rebounds, which not only created second-chance scoring opportunities but also stifled Maigh Cuilinn’s ability to run in transition.
Killarney’s American forward, Mikah Blackwell, was a force in the paint, recording five offensive rebounds and scoring 26 points. Belgian point guard Darnell Snyers proved equally uncontainable, pouring in 31 points to lead all scorers.
For Maigh Cuilinn, star forward Grant Olsson struggled with a calf injury and managed just six points, leaving others to step up. Antonio Molina led the scoring with 17 points, supported by Ivan Basic (16 ) and Aitor Perez (12 ). Youngster Cian Walsh delivered an encouraging performance with 11 points, but it wasn’t enough to overturn Killarney’s dominance.
The game started competitively, with Killarney leading 21–16 after the first-quarter. However, an 11-0 Killarney run in the second-quarter saw the home side seize control, heading into halftime with a 47–33 lead. Despite stabilizing the game in the third-quarter, Maigh Cuilinn trailed by 15 points heading into the fourth. A spirited final-quarter rally, which they won 25–17, brought them closer, but the deficit proved insurmountable.
With veteran Dylan Cunningham set to return and Olsson looking to regain full fitness, Maigh Cuilinn will hope to harness the energy of their home crowd to overcome Drogheda’s threats. This game, the first in a critical home stretch that includes matches against Waterford Vikings in Leitir Móir and Ulster University in Knocknacarra, could set the tone for the team’s playoff push the far side of Christmas.
Tip-off on Saturday is at 7:30pm, and supporters are encouraged to come early with doors from 6:30pm.
