Killester saw off YCDA Mariann 85:65 in a Superleague fixture on Friday evening. The hosts have been unbeaten in five, and this result extended that run to seven games. It was a straightforward performance from the second-placed side, who now sit six points clear of third.
The prediction made before the game was simple: Killester to win. We gave it 58 per cent confidence. It came in, and the margin suggested the confidence wasn't misplaced. YCDA Mariann had lost four of their last five and found themselves out-thought on the touchline from the opening tip.
Killester took control early. They played the first quarter a man up in terms of intensity, and by then the gap was already double digits. They didn't need to come for a cross he never reached — this was about pace and execution. The hosts kept it simple and efficient, converting opportunities that YCDA Mariann simply couldn't match.
The visitors showed moments of resistance. They scored 65 points, which is respectable, but they paid for a sloppy opening and never really got back into the game. Their last outing against Neptune had been a 112:117 thriller, and they came for a fight here too. But Killester held a high line defensively and saw it out.
The table tells the story. Killester are second with 16 wins from 22 games. YCDA Mariann sit sixth with 10 wins and 12 defeats. The gap between them is widening, and this result means Killester are running out of games for anyone to catch them. YCDA Mariann, meanwhile, have the deeper squad on paper but haven't found a way through when it matters most.
