Maigh Cuilinn will hit the road this Saturday for a challenging trip to County Monaghan, where they will face Carrick Cruisers at the Phoenix Centre in Carrickmacross (7.30pm tip off ).
With just four games left in the regular season, every result matters as Maigh Cuilinn push toward what they hope will be a well-earned playoff spot.
On paper, Carrick Cruisers sit at the bottom of the Northern Conference with a record of 5-12, but that does not tell the full story. After struggling early in the season, the Monaghan side put together an impressive four-game winning streak in the new year, taking down Waterford, Killarney, Team Northwest, and Titans in succession. That stretch proved they are a dangerous team capable of big performances, especially at home.
A key factor for Carrick has been the outstanding play of their American import, Colin Kahl. The 6’7” forward has been a force attacking the basket, averaging 22 points per game and giving his team a reliable scoring presence.
Alongside him, Spanish guard Benjamin Vazquez has been equally important, using his quickness to break down defences and pour in over 18 points per game despite standing at just 6’2”.
The duo has helped Carrick to an impressive offensive output of over 80 points per game, meaning Maigh Cuilinn’s defence will need to be locked in to slow them down.
That said, Carrick’s momentum has slowed in recent weeks. After their four-game surge, they have now lost two in a row - a narrow defeat to Drogheda Wolves followed by a heavy loss to Portlaoise Panthers last weekend.
They will be desperate to bounce back at home, making this a potential banana-skin fixture for Maigh Cuilinn.
Maigh Cuilinn, meanwhile, enter the game on the back of a commanding 115-95 victory over SETU Waterford Vikings in their most recent outing. That road win, their fourth in a row, saw an explosive performance from Aitor Perez, who racked up 34 points by stretching the Waterford defence out to the perimeter. James Loughnane also delivered a big-time veteran display, scoring 22 points in just 22 minutes while shooting an incredible 86 per cent from three-point range (six of seven ).
The second quarter proved crucial, with Maigh Cuilinn capitalising on Waterford’s switch to a zone defence, punishing them from outside to take control of the game.
With confidence running high, Maigh Cuilinn will be eager to extend their winning streak and solidify their play-off position. After the trip to Carrick, they will face three more crucial games to close out the regular season: an away matchup with Titans on March 1, another road test against Portlaoise Panthers on March 8, and a final home clash with Tipp Talons on March 15 at the University of Galway Kingfisher.
If Maigh Cuilinn can handle business in Monaghan, they will take another big step toward post-season basketball. But with a long journey ahead and a Carrick team eager to reclaim their form, nothing will come easy this Saturday.
