UCD Marian return to the Super League

UCD Marian secured promotion to the InsureMyVan.ie Super League, thanks to a 94-81 win over Moy Tolka Rovers in the InsureMyVan.ie Division One final.

They return to the top flight of Irish basketball at the first time of asking, having been relegated last season.

The pacy Jonathan Jean was crucial to the win, claiming the MVP award with 34 points, five rebounds and seven assists.

UCD Marian edged the opening quarter, leading 25-19, Jean was his usual prolific self, helping himself to 10 points for Ioannis Liapakis' side.

Four minutes into the second quarter Moy Tolka Rovers got level, at 31-31, following a Jaja Davis three point jump shot - Davis would score 31 points for his side.

UCD opened up a five point lead, 37-32, with three minutes to go, following another Jean three, his third of the day. A pair of Karlo Lebo free throws edged Moy Tolka Rovers 45-44 ahead, but it would be UCD Marian marginally in front, 46-45, at the break.

UCD pulled clear in the third, Jean once again instrumental, his layup with three minutes to put them nine clear, at 64-55. But with 30 seconds to go in the quarter a fast break and layup by Daniel Ayoade saw the deficit cut to two, 66-64.

Conor Meany had the final say in the quarter, with a long range three to extend UCD Marian’s lead once more, 69-64.

It was a two point game once more two minutes into the final quarter, 71-69, after another Ayoade layup. But Jean was proving too hot to handle, his layup had UCD Marian 82-71 with 4’40 remaining, the American had 32 points to his name at that stage. UCD Marian remained composed in the stretch to seal a 94-81 win.

UCD Marian captain Conor Meany said: "It’s unbelievable, I told Ioannis (Liapakis) back in the summer that I thought I wanted to be part of