The Maree senior men’s team made club history during the month of February as they won the Basketball Ireland Men’s Division One title for the first time in their proud history.
The big game of the month came on the 8th when the two challengers for the title, Maree and Thunder clashed in Galway. While the winner would not have mathematically secured the title, it was being seen as a virtual decider.
After a truly entertaining tussle that saw Maree jump out early only to be caught by Thunder, finished with a flurry of baskets by the home side en route to a 80 -67 victory.
Coming a week after their 67 – 75 win against Team Garvey’s St Mary’s in Castleisland it all but assured the Galwegians of the crown. They confirmed their number one position with a 63 – 74 win over Fr Mathews the following week, which sealed the title with a game to spare.
Along with the coveted silverware, Maree’s success earns them a place in the end of season Champions Trophy competition where they will host the fourth placed team from the Men’s Premier League in the quarter final.
Joining them from the Division One ranks will be Galway neighbours JM&L Auctioneers Titans, who also secured a home quarter final, courtesy of their National Shield win.
Titans, who will play the third ranked team from the Men’s Premier League, enter that competition in mixed form as February has seen them slip down the league table, losing to Team Left Bank Kilkenny while March 1st saw them lose to Garvey’s. They did register wins over Tolka Rovers and C&S Blue Demons however.
Meanwhile, Maree’s vanquished challengers Swords Thunder have since rallied to win back to back games, defeating Fr Mathews and Tolka Rovers since and have secured second place following a fine season.
Last year’s champions, C&S Blue Demons started the month brightly with wins over local rivals Fr Mathews and Dublin outfit Tolka Rovers. Following a loss against Titans, they finished their regular season last weekend by defeating Team Left Bank Kilkenny 71 – 48.
Their final record of 5&9 may be a disappointment considering the heights reached last season but must be seen in a context of a much changed team and some younger players emerging.
The biggest benificiaries from February not named Maree, were Team Garevy’s St Mary’s, who followed up their loss to Maree on February 1st with three straight wins since.
The Castleisland lads wins over Mathews, Rovers and Titans has seen them rise to third, one point ahead of Titans, with one game remaining.
Defeated shield finalists, Team Left Bank Kilkenny did get some revenge for that defeat with outstanding win over Titans 76 – 72 at home but also had poor losses to Demons and Rovers.
For Fr Mathews and Tolka Rovers there were improved performances over the month, Mathews running Garvey’s and Maree close but ultimately suffering another winless month while Rovers did register a win by toppling Kilkenny while getting a losing bonus point against Thunder last weekend.
MD1 player of the month: John Galvin of St. Mary’s
MD1 coach of the month: John Finn of Maree