Portlaoise Panthers and Limerick Celtics contest top-of-the-table clash

Jack Scully's Portlaoise Panthers welcomed Limerick Celtics to St Mary's Hall in a huge top-of-the-table clash on Saturday evening. Limerick Celtics have been top of the pile throughout the season, but were toppled last week by SETU Carlow. 

However, the Munster side have returned to the summit of Division 1, after a hard-earned victory over the Panthers. Portlaoise were second coming into the tie, but came up just short in a wonderful game of basketball.

Limerick Celtics 90 

Portlaoise Panthers 79

The game got off to an electric start, with the visitors edging into an early lead. Michael Hood and Juan Blanco Martin were outstanding for Limerick with the enormous Justin Motley posing problems for Portlaoise as well.

Ravel Moody led the way for the Panthers, but saw his side 30-17 behind after ten minutes. Miles Felletti-O'Donnell was lethal from long range in the first period and started the second with another huge three-pointer for the visitors.

The typically excellent BJ Gladden was off his game and spent most of the second period on the Portlaoise bench as a result. But he was rejuvenated when he returned to the court, bringing a renewed energy to Portlaoise - and getting right in the face of Justin Motley in the process. The hosts played the better basketball, but struggled to take their chances. They managed to close the gap but would have been very disappointed to trail by eight points at half time; 44-36.

Motley and Gladden continued their rivalry after the restart as each player took turns dunking on the other. It was Michael Hood, however, who continued to have the biggest impact on the game. He led the way for Limerick as the visitors extended their lead to 20 points.

Moody and Gladden pulled off some impressive scores for Portlaoise to cut the deficit, but Hood produced several moments of magic to prove himself the best player on the court. An impressive quarter from Limerick left them ahead 71-60 going into the final quarter.

The fight-back continued from Portlaoise as the game drew to a dramatic conclusion. Moody was exceptional as the hosts got themselves to within three points with 90 seconds left to play. But Limerick closed the game out with some pin-point shooting from Hood and Felletti-O'Donnell. 

Portlaoise Panthers will close out 2023 in two weeks’ time, when they travel to Carriganore to play struggling Waterford Vikings.