Mayo schoolboys march on to basketball knockout stages in Inchicore

Victories over Malahide Community School and St. Joseph's Patrician College ('the Bish'), Galway, have put the St. Gerald’s College second year basketball team within sight of a Basketball Schoolboys League National A League final appearance, writes John Melvin.

However, the Castlebar boys have two more major obstacles to overcome before they can reach the final as they head for the Oblate Hall in Inchicore this evening (Monday), where they will play in the quarterfinals and semi-finals.

At their home venue of the De La Salle Hall on Monday last, St. Gerald's defeated the Bish 43-33 and also proved too good for Malahide Community School, emerging as 48-35 winners.

This team has been pushing hard for the last two years to bring home a national title, and they seem well equipped to do so given the talent that is coming through at the Castlebar school.

However, this is the A grade, where it does get a lot tougher, but having won the regional playoffs may give them the boost that is needed to get through the playoffs.

Cillian Reilly bagged 14 points in their game with Malahide, including two three-pointers, while Aeon Al Shati (11), Ruairí Mulroy (7), Cillian Donnelly (5), Ronan Quinn (4), Ruairí Kearney (4) and Aaron Murphy (2) nailed some excellent scores.

Malahide took the first quarter 15-10 but St. Gerald's stormed back with a big second quarter, which they took 14-4, the home side edging the third 10-8 but in command in the fourth quarter, which they won 14-8.

The Bish always provide tough opposition and this was a close game, St. Gerald's edging the first quarter 10-9, the sides sharing the second quarter 7-7 but the home side taking the third 16-9 and edging the fourth 10-8.

Top scorers for St. Gerard’s were Cillian Reilly, who bagged 20 points, including two three-pointers, Patrick Kennedy (8), Ruairí Kearney (5, including a three-pointer), Aeon Al Shati (5) and Cillian Donnelly (3).