Hoops regain momentum

Basketball Round-up:The test of aspiring champions is how they respond to the inevitable blip in form. Shamrock Rovers Hoops' unbeaten run was ended by the Limerick Lions last week, and on Friday evening they fell to a reinvigorated St Vincent's - Mike Trimmer and the Donnelly brothers as consistent as ever in the 91-81 victory.

So yesterday's challenge against UCD Marian was about regaining the early-season momentum that has the Hoops top of the North conference.

Despite solid efforts from UCD's Kevin Foley and Tony Mitchell, Hoops proved too strong, Luke O'Hea registering 33 points in the 115-100 win.

This merely compounded a miserable weekend for UCD Marian, who were obliterated within the opening five minutes by Belfast Star. They failed to recover from the 18-4 deficit.

In the South conference, UCC Demons and Tralee Tigers made significant statements with victories over two other contenders, St Paul's and Neptune.

Michael Quirke's football commitments meant he was introduced for the Tigers only in the third quarter of their meeting with Neptune but it was enough to make a crucial difference.

American James Mooney shot 28 points and Wilder Auguste finished on 32 in the 106-103 win.

Ballina recorded their first back-to-back weekend wins, over Killester and St Vincent's, to ruin the champions' recent return to form. The Mayo footballer Ronan McGarrity was hugely impressive, shooting 47 points, including 28 against Killester.

Women's Superleague:Cork 76 Killester 68; Meteors 55 Tolka Rovers 53; Wildcats 65 UL Aughinish 89. Men's Superleague:Shamrock Rovers Hoops 81 St Vincent's 91; UCD Marian 100 Belfast Star 121; Ballina 90 Killester 88; Tralee Tigers 89 Neptune 77; UCC Demons 106 St Paul's 103; UCD Marian 100 Shamrock Rovers Hoops 115; St Vincent's 81 Ballina 90.