Maree completed Galway’s season of dominance in the Basketball Ireland National League with victory in Division One at the weekend. The blues had already locked up their first National Cup win in January while NUIG Mystics were also double winners at Division One level in 2016.
Maree’s silverware was assured by the time they played runners-up KUBS last Sunday but they still turned on the style with a swashbuckling performance and a late comeback to sneak the win 76-74. They’d confirmed their status as table toppers with a Galway derby win against JM&L Auctioneers Titans the night before and finished the season with a 21-1 record. The only blip was defeat away to Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin in October before an 18 game winning streak gave them their second league title, their first Cup and the double with it.
“We’ve been behind in a lot of games this season,” said Maree captain Cathal Finn. “One of the great things about the year is that we’ve been able to come back almost every time. The younger lads came in and did a really great job against KUBS. It was important for us to finish it out.”
The result marks a successful season for Connacht’s representatives in the National League. Moycullen consolidated their status in the Men’s Premier League by more than doubling their win-rate from their last top-tier campaign in 2014.
Elsewhere, Women’s Premier League basketball has turned from a dream to a reality for NUIG Mystics. “It’s been a couple of years in the making,” says Head Coach Mike Murray. “Coupling with NUIG gave us the boost and the venue and that allowed us to bring in more players.”
“Not only are we getting the best players around Galway through clubs like Maree, Titans, Claregalway and the likes, we’re able to bring in Victory Scholars and develop younger players. Training with us right now we have six junior internationals from U16 to U18,” said Murray.
The mission isn’t over just yet as both Maree and NUIG Mystics look to extend their success into the post-season. NUIG Mystics host Ulster Rockets in the Women’s Division One Playoff Semi-final this Saturday at Calasanctuis College, Oranmore at 2pm. That’s followed by the Champions Trophy Semi-final between Maree and Premier League heavyweights Templeogue. If Mystics lose, their season is over while defeat for Maree would still mean a place in the League Cup semi-finals.
