Three of Galway's four clubs had winning starts to the Basketball season with Titans and Moycullen winning in the Men's Division One and Mystics beating Kilkenny Stars in the Women's league. However, Maree were beaten in their opening game by Portlaoise Panthers.
Domino’s Women’s Division One newcomers Dublin Raiders and Clunetech Kilkenny Stars both fell to defeat on the opening day. Stephanie Davis scored 25 points for Cluntech Kilkenny Stars, including a three-pointer with less than three minutes to go, putting them level at 66-66 in their home game with University of Galway Mystics, before they eventually succumbed 73-68. University of Galway Mystics’ scoring was evenly spread with four players in double figures – Emma Glavin (14), Kara McCleane (12), Lucie Hatert (12) and Isabelle Quinn (10).
Last season’s Domino’s Men's Division One Playoff finalists ND Audit Portloaise Panthers - who also had a 20-2 regular season record in 2024/25 – look to be strong contenders once more, judging by their 102-71 win over Maree, who’d dropped down from the Domino’s Men’s Super League. Spaniard Xabier Arriaga was the standout, notching up 30 points and 13 rebounds, with a 39 efficiency. Michael Wallace also scored 23 points for the winners. Jason Killeen’s Maree had Isaiah Taylor as their leading light on 24 points.
Titans got off to a winning start under new head coach Erin Bracken, with a 90-68 road success at SPK Utility Trust Lakers. Umar Rachid top-scored with 28 points, but it was Fortune Igbokwe (15 points and 11 rebounds) that Bracken highlighted in the aftermath. “We are delighted with a real team win, considering Killarney can be a difficult place to go and play. A particularly strong first half performance lead by Fortune Igbokwe who set the tone early and was excellent. Lots of positives but of course lots to work on going forward", she said.
Maigh Cuilinn eased to a 94-65 success over Killarney Cougars. Paul O’Brien’s outfit had six players in double figures, Grant Olsson once again led scoring on 20, with Ivan Basic on 16. “We are delighted to start the season off with a strong win. We did a really good job executing on offence and our defensive intensity was close to where we want it to be. It’s a good start, but only one game, so we need to work hard this week to be ready for Carrick Cruisers”, Maigh Cuilinn’s O’Brien said.
Domino’s Men’s Super League Results
Friday 4th October
UCC Demons 115-105 Energywise Ireland Neptune
Saturday 4th October
Belfast Star 107-71 EJ Sligo All-Stars
Limerick Celtics 88-87 Ballincollig
UCD Marian 101-79 Griffith College Éanna
Flexachem KCYMS 83-76 Garvey’s Tralee Warriors
St. Vincent’s 71-85 Killester
Domino’s Women’s Super League Results
Saturday 4th October
Catalyst Fr. Mathews 69-71 Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers
Trinity Meteors 65-61 McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles
FloMAX Liffey Celtics 62-89 Killester
SETU Waterford Wildcats 65-75 Utility Trust St. Paul’s Killarney
Sunday 5th October
UCC Glanmire 75-80 Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell
Domino’s Men’s Division One Results
Saturday 4th October
Team North West 55-88 Dublin Lions
Tipp Talons 67-82 Limerick Sport Eagles
Moy Tolka Rovers 88-86 Ulster University
Templeogue 71-79 Carrick Cruisers
Maigh Cuilinn 94-65 Killarney Cougars
ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers 102-71 Maree
SPK Utility Trust Lakers 68-90 Titans BC
Sunday 5th October
Malahide 77-80 Drogheda Wolves
Domino’s Women’s Division One Results
Saturday 4th October
Templeogue 78-38 Dublin Raiders
Limerick Sport Huskies 69-76 Limerick Celtics
Abbey Seals Dublin Lions 68-81 Moy Tolka Rovers
Clunetech Kilkenny Stars 68-73 University of Galway Mystics
