Portlaoise Panthers shackle the Lions in Division One opener

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers head coach, Jack Scully was particularly pleased with the defensive display his side produced as they laid down an early marker in the race for the 2024/25 Men’s National League Division One title with an 81-49 demolition of Joels Dublin Lions in St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday night.

The hosts managed to seriously shackle the Clondalkin side’s big hitters, while their own new recruits, Eric Anderson and James Phelan combined for 39 points, with Davin McEvoy weighing in with a further 14.

“We placed real importance on defence and, to keep a team like Dublin Lions to 49 points is a savage result,” said Scully.

“I can’t remember the last time a National League team scored less than 50 points in a game. We had a certain plan in place. The boys stuck to it and it worked. We’re absolutely delighted with the win.

“Dublin Lions are a really good team and they will be really good this year. They’ll be very effective in a lot of games and we’re just glad to have one over them now at this stage and get a win on the board early in the season.” Portlaoise exerted a tight grip on Saturday’s game from early on, as they opened up a 14-point advantage by the close of the first quarter, McEvoy spearheading that early surge with eight points in just over five minutes of action on the court.

Phelan, who only recently returned to his home club, was not long in making his mark, landing buckets from either side of the arc.

Dublin Lions, who, only last month, suffered a heavy 92-67 reversal at the hands Panthers in a pre-season tournament, found themselves again struggling to cope with the Portlaoise side’s intensity at both ends of the floor.

Indeed, Scully’s men were working hard to contain the opposing big guns, including summer signings Aidan Igiehon and Kevin Anyanwu, and their efforts reaped the rewards as the Panthers defence confined their opponents to a mere 23 points in the first half, while they extended their lead to 22 (45-23) by the break.

Lions were unable to make any in-road into Panthers’ lead and, instead, saw the gap slightly enlarged to 27 by the close of the third quarter, McEvoy and Cillian O’Connell draining big threes for the hosts.

That trend continued in the fourth as Portlaoise continued to knock back their opponents, particular with timely shots from downtown by Anderson, Phelan and another of the hosts’ new recruits, Gary Morrissey.

It was an encouraging win for Panthers who will now turn their attention to next Saturday’s trip to an Ulster University side licking their wounds from their 88-78 point reversal at the hands of Team NorthWest in their respective opening day fixture.

Certainly, Scully is wary of the threat Ulster will pose, telling the Laois Nationalist: “We’re heading to Ulster University next week and that’s a totally different test. Ulster are newly-relegated from the Super League and they still have a lot of that squad that played in the Super League last year.

“It’s always a tough place to go, but we’re looking forward to it. I feel if we can execute our own plan, then we’ll be really competitive.” PORTLAOISE PANTHERS: Cillian O’Connell, Dylan Dunne, Jayden Umeh, James Phelan, Cormac Howson, Eric Anderson, Davin McEvoy, Kevin Donohoe, Gary Morrissey, Xabier Arriaga, Kyle Burke, Liam Kinsella.

Top Scorers: Eric Anderson (24), James Phelan (15), Davin McEvoy (14), Gary Morrissey (9).

DUBLIN LIONS: Tiernan Howe, Harvey Killeen, Colin Bolger, Michael O’Connor, Dami Abagun, Kevin Anyanwu, Arnas Mineikis, David Obayagbona, Aidan Igiehon, Evan Blackmon, Conor Dikcius, John Lambert.

Top Scorers: Kevin Anyanwu (11), Aidan Igiehon (11), Conor Dikcius (11), Evan Blackmon (8).