Templeogue surge denies Dublin Lions a first win in the Super League ranks
GRIFFITH College Templeogue returned to Men’s Super League action after the Christmas break with a 59-76 point victory over near neighbours Abbey Seals Dublin Lions in Coláiste Bríde on Saturday.
While just four points separated the sides at the halftime break, the visitors took off in the third quarter, winning that period 29-16 before eventually seeing off the challenge for their eighth win in this season’s league, leaving them six points off joint leaders Garveys Tralee Warriors and Belfast Star.
Templeogue’s Kris Arcilla goes for a basket despite pressure from Tiernan Howe of Dublin Lions
“It was a very tight first half” said Templeogue Head Coach Mark Keenan. “The pace of the game didn’t suit us and we just could not get our rhythm going.
“At halftime we said we needed to inject more pace into the game and we needed to take advantage of their misses.
“While we were happy that they managed only 28 points in the first half, we weren’t happy at being able to only made 32 ourselves.
“Lorcan [Murphy] was our bright spark in the first half, but there was a better spread of scoring in the second. Everyone chipped in.
“Young Kris Arcilla has been doing very well for us and he played well against Lions while Xabi [Arriga] came off the bench and hit a couple of big threes” he added.
For Lions, who are still awaiting their first win in, what is their first year in the top ranks, they remained well in touch with their opponents for the first half of this tie.
Finn Hughes worked hard for the hosts, hitting 16 points, while Jack Maguire and Jarrett Gray combined for 23, but it was not enough to stop the Reds from powering on in the third quarter.
The victory provides Templeogue with a nice lead-in to their National Cup semi final clash with C&S Neptune in Cork this coming Saturday.
With no injury concerns heading into this tie, Keenan will be hopeful his side can set up a decider against either Tralee or neighbouring rivals DBS Eanna, but is not taking lightly the challenge of a Neptune side that sits just three points behind them in the Super League.
“We beat them [Neptune] at home earlier in the season, but not by a big score and it’s going to be a tough game away in Cork” Keenan told The Echo.
Templeogue are two time winners of the cup in 2016 and 2018, capturing the Super League crown in the year in between.
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