MAIGH Cuilinn got a massive confidence boost ahead of back-to-back derby clashes with Maree when they held off a second-half comeback by Sligo All Stars last weekend to clinch a fourth league win of the season.

They were the only senior Galway side in action last weekend due to the semi-final stages of the various cup competitions taking place, with city club Titans experiencing mixed fortunes on that front.

Their highly-rated U-18 Boys suffered a shock 64-55 reversal at the hand of the Pheonix Rockets, who advance to a decider with a Dublin Lions side who ran out 77-63 winners over Dundalk Ravens; but the U-20 Men gave the club something to cheer as they claimed a six-point win over Ballincollig to advance to the final against Limerick Celtics.

MEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

Maigh Cuilinn 74

Sligo All Stars 63

Maigh Cuilinn rallied late to repel a stirring second-half comeback by the travelling Sligo All Stars and secure their second straight home win at the University of Galway Sports Arena last Saturday.

The home side had shot out of the blocks with their best opening quarter of the season, pouring in 30 points and being full value for their 30-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.

James Connaire and Patrick Lyons were in particularly good form, combining directly for nine points but also playing a key hand in a suffocating defence that created turnovers and transition scores for the home side.

The lead grew in the second quarter as the visitors struggled to run any sort of coherent offence against what was outstanding Maigh Cuilinn defence and at the half-time buzzer, the score was 41-25.

Sligo has been averaging 90 points per game on offence this season and so, even with great defence in front of them, a run was always coming. Somewhat astonishingly, their run came when their star American player Chrishon Briggs went to the bench with four fouls.

Pictured: Grant Olsson (left) and Dylan Cunningham made key contributions to Maigh Cuilinn’s weekend win over Sligo All Stars.