Monk not feeling Merry, Meteors fly high
The Merry Monk Ballina squad pictured before their BIDL game against Tralee Warriors last Saturday.
It was a mixed day for Merry Monk Ballina and Mayo Meteors as both were in action in the Basketball Ireland Development League (BIDL) last Saturday evening.
Merry Monk were in action against Tralee Warriors in a top of the table clash in Ballina Sports Complex, and the visitors accuracy from three-pointers, 10 to Merry Monk’s five, were crucial as they pipped Merry Monk 74-66 in an encounter that saw two ties and three lead changes.
Ronan McGarrity shone brightly in the first quarter for Merry Monk, scoring ten points, including a three, but a nine-point run for Tralee put them 22-17 in front.
The second quarter saw Tralee continue to set the court alight as they stretched their lead to 42-29 by half-time, with Daniel Bowley matching McGarrity’s haul of seven points in that period.
Merry Monk rallied back in the third, with Theo Daly impressing as his tally of ten points, as well a three-pointer by Ronan O’Malley, brought the gap back to eight, 48-56 in Tralee’s favour.
The final quarter was tightly contested, both sides scoring 18 points apiece, and while McGarrity finished with an impressive 27 points, with Theo Daly his closest teammate on 17, Tralee held firm for the win.
Merry Monk will hope to seal a playoff place in their final group game in Conference 1 when they take on Atlantic Eagles this Saturday evening at 7pm in Ballina Sports Complex.
Mayo Meteors picked up their third league win in the BIDL after beating the Eagles 85-71 in Tourmakeady GAA Hall.
With 12 lead changes and ten ties, this game was a rollercoaster battle but Meteors battled superbly. Paul Freeman finished with a game-high 30 points, with the next best Alex Evans (22) and James McManamon (17).
The Eagles took an early lead but Meteors responded well, narrowly going 19-18 ahead at the end of the first period and extending the lead to seven, 45-38, by the break, Evans and McManamon combining for 24.
Freeman stepped up in the third quarter, with 15 points of his overall tally coming in this period, as well as a seven-point run by Meteors, as the hosts led 67-57. Both teams fought hard in the final quarter, but Meteors held firm, closing out the match with an 18-14 partial score.
The Meteors are back in action this Saturday in their final BIDL home game against Limerick Celtics. Tip-off is at 7pm in Tourmakeady GAA Hall.
