Éanna get title defence off to winning start

Griffith College Éanna made a winning start to their Men's Super League title defence as they mounted a late surge to see off 2022/23 champions, Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU 75-56 on Saturday evening in the MTU Arena.

While the Dublin side rocketed into an 18-point advantage by the close of the first quarter, Ballincollig managed to recoup 11 in the second, thanks in no small measure to Todd Wolfe, who finished with a game-high 22 points.

Yet a good spread of double-digit scoring from Neil Lynch (17), Stefan Desnica (15), Kristijan Andabaka (15) and Josh Wilson (11) helped Éanna steady the ship and outscore their opponents by 11 in the closing quarter to help secure some early spoils.

"It's great to get off to a winning start, but I was more impressed with the squad's attitude during the game" said Griffith College Éanna head coach, Darren McGovern. "They stuck to the plan and executed really well for most of the game" he added.

A huge second quarter, in which they outscored their opponents by 17, set Energywise Ireland Neptune on track for a hard-fought 96-87 win over Belfast Star in Newforge Sports Complex.

The hosts, under the leadership of new head coach, Rafi Olmassakian, led by 11 midway through the opening quarter, thanks in no small part to heavy scoring from Maurice Jones (25) and Conor Quinn (22).

Yet, with Ar’mond Davis and Darragh O’Sullivan totalling 48 points between them on the night, the Cork side battled their way back to ensure a winning return to the club for head coach, Pat Price who last led the team in 2015.

A strong finish that saw them take the fourth quarter by 11 points, proved essential in seeing Flexachem KCYMS record a 75-64 success on the road against UCD Marian.

Jeffery Okeke emerged the