It was poised for so long, on the finest of knife edges, and they will be kicking themselves for allowing it to slip out of reach, but in the end, Trinity Men’s Basketball team were deservedly beaten by a wily Eanna Basketball Club in College on Monday night. The form book was thrown firmly out the window, with the visitors sitting bottom of Division 3 before throw-in and Trinity looking down from the top of the table. In an end-to-end encounter, Eanna were good value for their 58-48 win.
All of the above said, however, Trinity did start off much the brighter of the two teams, determined to get back to winning ways after a narrow defeat last week at the hands of strugglers Glasnevin. Robbie Fidgeon-Kavanagh, Trinity’s perennial danger-man, looked very much in the mood, landing a gorgeous basket early in proceedings. Captain Manus Darby was also on target, though Eanna did register points of their own courtesy of Eamonn O’Mahony.
It was an end-to-end encounter, but one which Trinity were controlling, mainly, it must be said, due to clinical finishing from Darby, Fidgeon Kavanagh and Louis Siebenaler. Siebenaler’s shooting was a joy to behold at times. However, Eanna’s counter-attacking game was also effective when accurate, and the away side kept in touch with Trinity for most of the first quarter, until a three-pointer from Fidgeon Kavanagh finally stretched the deficit.
The second quarter was Eanna’s. Kevin Gilmartin began to exert his influence, winning defensive rebounds and unleashing runners with an astute choice of passing. Worryingly for Trinity, the ruthlessness which had characterised the side’s offensive play in the first quarter was beginning to ebb away. Kevin Cogan did sprint in for a lovely lay-up, but for the most part the hosts’ increasingly profligate shooting provided Eanna with a route back into the game. With seconds remaining in the quarter, only a free throw from Daragh Fogarty kept Trinity in front, and by a solitary point.
The game followed a similar path thereafter, with Eanna continually hitting Trinity on the break. It was a simple gameplan and an efficient one, though Darby did grow in influence for the increasingly beleaguered hosts. He showed pace and determination to foil by any means necessary a number of breakaway attacks. Eanna were unhappy with Trinity’s physicality at the basket and won a number of free throws towards the end of the third quarter. Stephen King and Ben Kelleher were the beneficiaries, landing crucial baskets to leave the sides level going into the final 10 minutes.
Kelleher was excellent for Eanna in the final quarter, pulling the strings as his side pushed for an unlikely victory. As Trinity tired, so their opponents seemed to grow in energy, resolute out of possession and clinical at the basket. The reliable O’Mahony began to rack up points as Trinity’s discipline dwindled. Trinity were unfortunate at times to see several efforts bounce away off different parts of the rim, but ultimately there was a definite feeling of frustration as the clock wound down to a disappointing defeat. Barry Ryan’s men will hope to put this two-game blip in the rear view mirror next week against Dublin Lions and keep their promotion bid on the road.
