Limerick challenge fades at final hurdle

BASKETBALL: Defending champions Limerick were among the casualties in the opening round of the ESB National Cup at the weekend, falling to Dublin side ITP Saints 112-93. Despite leading by two points at halfway the holders faded badly in the final quarter.

For a long time new signing Douglas Hynes appeared to give Limerick the edge, but he was fouled out with seven minutes remaining. Stephen McGuirk of the Saints controlled much of the final quarter.

Division one side Ballina came closest to the biggest shock of the first round, but eventually lost out to UCC Demons by three points - 80-77. Playing at home the Cork club started well and were up 40-28 at the half, before Ballina launched a major fightback.

By outscoring the Demons 28-11 in the third quarter, Ballina were suddenly in control. But Liam McHale fouled out with three minutes remaining and a three-point play from James Singleton in the closing seconds sealed the narrow.

Elsewhere, Notre Dame got their campaign off to an uneasy start with an 88-79 win over Tralee Tigers. The Kerry club had led for the almost the entire game. Chris Thompson was fouled out and from there Tralee collapsed.

Neptune were beaten 75-70 by Star of the Sea as the greater depth of the Belfast club helped see them through to the quarter-finals, the draw for which will take place today.

Women's cup holders Killester also fell in the first round, losing to Drimnagh Dynamoes 79-73 after extra time. The champions lost Gillian Ennis, Emer Brophy and Siobhan Kennedy to fouls early in extra time and Drimnagh took every advantage from the free throw line. There were far more convincing victories for Waterford, Killester and Tolka Rovers.

For Waterford, the men's Superleague champions, Saturday's 102-71 victory over division one club Queens was as comfortable as the score line suggests. Killester were also at home to first division club Moycullen and came out on top 112-59. Tolka Rovers had to travel to Castlebar to face their division one opponents, and were given a slightly more testing time. The Dublin club were up 37-31 at the half and Kenny McFarland helped ensure their noses stay in front with a 25-point contribution, and the Tolka Rovers prevailed 82-67.