Merry Monk cool Jets of visitors in dominant win
Team Merry Monk’s Ronan O’Malley had a game high 23 points in their win over Shannon Jets. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Merry Monk Ballina remain top of the Basketball Ireland Development League courtesy of a comfortable 83-55 win in the end over Shannon Jets on Saturday evening.
The strength in depth of Merry Monk was evident, which included nine different scorers and four players going into double digits, the best being Ronan O’Malley with a game high 23 points.
David Marry and Rory Upton were the star performers for the home side in the opening quarter, with six points apiece as Merry Monk opened up an eight-point lead, 23-15, with Shannon’s Brian Griffey, a star performer for the visitors, kept his side on Merry Monk’s coattails with an eight point haul, including the game’s first three The second quarter saw Merry Monk extend their advantage, holding off a strong start by Shannon before going on a ten-point run on the way to lead 43-28 at half-time, with Ronan O’Malley to the fore with 13 points, sinking two three-pointers for good measure.
The third quarter would bring more of the same for Merry Monk, clocking up 20-plus again in a single period with the load shared by Theo Daly (who sunk another three for the hosts), Rory Upton, Ronan O’Malley, Mark Cunningham, Ronan McGarrity and David Marry. At the other end, solid defensive play saw Shannon struggle to gain any momentum as Merry Monk stretched their lead to 25 points, now leading 66-42.
The game was all but over going into the final quarter. A high foul count by Merry Monk disrupted their momentum but Shannon did not punish them as Merry Monk ran out convincing winners in the end, Theo Daly and Conor Burke nailing the final threes in the end for a 28-point victory, and a fourth win in five outings.
The U20s will be back in action in the National League next Sunday at 2pm at home against Limerick Lions but before that, a number of Merry Monk’s young guns prepare for a trip to Tallaght with St Muredach’s College in the All-Ireland U19 A Cup Final this Tuesday afternoon.
