Division 1 (2007-2008)

Division 1
Standings

North Conference
1. Tolka Rovers 15-0
2. Ballina 10-5
3. Falcons 8-7
4. Portlaoise 6-9
5. Sligo 5-10
6. Queens 1-14
South Conference
1. St.Brendan 10-2
2. Moycullen 9-3
3. St.Mary s 7-5
4. Titans BC 3-9
5. Waterford 1-11

Tolka Rovers wins Division 1 title
Tolka Rovers managed to claw back a half time deficit of 13 points to claim Basketball Ireland’s Men’s Division One Final with a 68-67 win at UL’s Sports Complex.
 St. Brendan’s opened up the game in a bright fashion with back to back baskets from Jason Quirke and Seàn Carroll. Tolka Rovers were slow to start but were able to put points on the scoreboard through the industrious Alan Kelly and Vlad Ignatavius. Tolka managed to come within four points before St. Brendan’s Ricardo star Leonard played hard in the post and converted two baskets to extend their lead to eight.
 St. Brendan’s surged ahead with Seàn Carroll rounding out the first quarter with a conversion and Tolka’s Mark Walsh threw up a desperation three pointer that brought his team within six points.
 Tolka had trouble converting in the second quarter as they only managed to score 11 points with five coming courtesy of MVP Eoin Quill. St. Brendan’s used it to their advantage and slowly built up a 15 point lead. Brendan’s Mark Mitchell led the attack as he went to the free throw to hit four points.
 Tolka refused to lie down as they began to mount a comeback. Roma Dolgother hit five straight points to bring his squad within ten points (38-48) and captain Mark Walsh continued his shooting assault as he stroked two from the free throw line aand baseline jumper.
 With a fourth quarter push from both teams, Tolka Rovers turned on the defence with a huge block from Eoin Quill and two steals from captain Mark Walsh. St. Brendan’s Seàn Carroll responded by hitting a three point shot to tie the game at 61-61. However, Tolka’s Eoin Quill stroked a smooth jumper three point shot from the top of the key to put the Dublin side up by three (64-61). Carroll quickly replied back by hitting two points for Brendan’s.
 Tolka’s superb comeback continued with a two from Alan Kelly before captain Mark Walsh turned hero with two free throws to ensure the title headed back to the capital.
 Courtesy of Basketball Ireland