There are wins that feel like a turning point. Maigh Cuilinn’s 73–58 victory over Portlaoise Panthers on Saturday evening in the Kingfisher was a controlled, composed and quietly assured performance over one of the division’s most seasoned sides.
From the opening tip, Maigh Cuilinn brought an edge and tempo that unsettled a Portlaoise team arriving without their influential Spanish big man Xabi Arriaga, ruled out pre-game with a shoulder injury. In his absence, much of the burden fell to star guard Mike Wallace, but Maigh Cuilinn’s defensive plan ensured he never dictated terms. While Wallace finished with 19 points, he was made to work for each of them, hounded in turn by Ivan Basic, Liam Moloney, Rory O’Sullivan and John Hynes — a four-man rotation that collectively kept Portlaoise’s danger man contained.
The first quarter set the tone with Maigh Cuilinn edging it 17–16 through high-tempo, man-to-man defence and crisp movement in transition. The second quarter was where the home side began to separate themselves, winning it 18–11 by repeatedly breaking down Portlaoise’s two–three zone. Their ball movement was purposeful and their persistence on the offensive glass relentless. By night’s end, Maigh Cuilinn would haul in an impressive 19 offensive rebounds — a figure that told the story of the effort and intent on display.
At half-time their lead stood at 35–27, but the third quarter opened with a Portlaoise surge. The visitors rattled off a 6–0 run and, for the first five minutes of the half, dominated proceedings.
Maigh Cuilinn looked momentarily rattled. Their offence stalled, the pace dropped, and for a brief spell it appeared the contest was turning. Then Grant Olsson took control.
In the space of a few precious possessions, Olsson restored calm and confidence — draining back-to-back three-pointers, adding a strong finish inside, and allowing Maigh Cuilinn to reclaim momentum. With Antonio Molina also chipping in and Basic following up with another three, what had been a two-point game suddenly ballooned to a 48–36 lead. That 13-point swing not only halted Portlaoise’s challenge but effectively drained their belief.
From there, Maigh Cuilinn managed the game with maturity, closing out the third 20–16 and the fourth 18–15.
It was the balance of the home side’s performance that stood out most. Olsson led the way with 22 points and nine rebounds, but the supporting cast were equally impressive. Molina (16 ) and Basic (14 ) contributed vital scores, while John Hackett produced perhaps his most complete performance of the season with five points and a commanding 10 rebounds. Dylan Cunningham worked tirelessly on the interior and also collected nine boards, while younger players like Moloney and Hynes chipped in with important minutes and composure.
The final score of 73–58 accurately reflected the control Maigh Cuilinn exerted across the game’s key passages. More than that, it marked a continuation of the renewed confidence and cohesion first glimpsed in Letterkenny the previous weekend.
Maigh Cuilinn now enjoy a weekend off before finishing 2025 with two significant tests: a road trip to Templeogue on December 13, followed by a home clash with Killarney Lakers on December 27.
With both opponents sitting in a similar bracket in the standings, those games will say much about whether Maigh Cuilinn can convert their resurgent form into a genuine push for the playoffs in the new year.
