Jan 22nd: BI Mens Division 1

Maree :  74 (Half Time: 35)
Portlaoise BC :  51 (Half Time: 23)
Top Scorers
Maree :  K.Hansberry 13; E.Walsh 12; C.O\'Hagan 10; J.Conroy 10
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Senior Men’s Semi-final; Maree 44 UCD-Marian 54

Perhaps it was inevitable that the youth of the Maree team, and the fixture congestion that is part of a semi-final weekend, would eventually tell against them in their Sunday Semi-final. Marian’s focus was on this game only, whereas 5 of the Maree team had been involved in the Friday Under 20 Semi-final win, and 2 of these had also starred in Saturday’s Under 18 victory. Indeed, the Maree five that started on Sunday had an average age of 20. The first quarter went well – very well – and Maree looked the better team, worth their 20 – 10 lead. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got. The experience and guile of UCD Marian kicked in, and a dour, low-scoring game developed, with Maree finding it hard to penetrate the Dubliners’ zone defense, turning the ball over at an uncharacteristic rate. By the half, the Maree lead had been cut to three. With a quarter to go, it was all square. Then UCD Marian took the lead and slowly extended it. Maree resorted to a press with minutes to go, but paid for it as Con Crowley and Colm O’Hagan fouled out, and UCD Marian shot free throws. The Dubliners took it by 10 in the end, and Maree will feel they under-performed. Liam Conroy hit 7 points in the first quarter, but was held to 2 thereafter. The inside threat was mainly provided by Ken Hansberry, who was good for 17, while the ever-industrious and quick Colm O’Hagan hit 10.

Maree Men; Con Crowley (C, 4), Liam Conroy (9), Colm O’Hagan (10), Darren Callanan, Enda Walsh (4), Jack Conroy, James Brophy, Ken Hansberry (17), Ciarán Harte, Pádraig Burke, Ciarán Considine.
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Jan 7th: BI Div1 National League

St Brendans Tralee: 80 (Half Time: 38)
Maree : 102 (Half Time: 58)
Top Scorers
Maree : L. Conroy 39; J Brophy 15; K Hansberry 15;
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Dec 11th: BI Div1 National League

Maree : 53 (Half Time: 25)
Ballon BC : 73 (Half Time: 40)
Top Scorers
Maree : T Mitkus 16; K Hansberry 13; C O'Hagan 9
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Nov 27th: BI National Cup Quarter Final

Templeogue : 75 (Half Time: 40)
Maree : 78 (Half Time: 43)
Top Scorers
Templeogue : L Thompson 22; S James 14; S O'Connor 13
Maree : K Hansberry 36; T Mitkus 22; C Crowley 7
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Nov 18th: BI Div1 National League

Maree : 70 (Half Time: 36)
MOF Chemists Titans : 64 (Half Time: 33)
Top Scorers
Maree : T.Mitkus 22; L.Conroy 13; K.Hansberry 10

A young Maree team looked to continue their recent good run of form against a more experienced and physically stronger Titans team in a memorable game in Calasanctius gym in Oranmore on Friday night. With Titans fielding their 2 new signings from Canada and America both of whom had played college basketball in America Maree knew that they were in for a battle.
A pulsating first quarter saw the lead change regularly with the score tied at 23 all at the end of the first. Big shifts were put in by Kenneth Hansberry for Maree who scored 7 points and Paul Freeman with 8 for Titans. The returning Darren Callanan, who had to sit out the last two games due to injury, gave Maree a big boost when he came on with his high pressure defence working well.
Maree’s pressure began to tell in a much lower scoring second quarter and with Tomas Mitkus contributing 6 points and matching up well against Titans Davidson graduate Will Archambault. Maree ended the half up by 3 points with Liam Conroy hitting some critical scores in this quarter.
Continued pressure on the ball by Maree and with Maree continually rotating the line-up they were able to keep the pace of the game high with Padraig Burke and Ciaran Harte putting in some good shifts. With Colm O’Hagan pressurising his American opponent Tim Coyne high up the court and with James Brophy coming in to give a more physical inside presence Maree ended the third quarter up by 6.
In the last quarter Maree pulled ahead with Enda Walsh putting in another excellent performance and lead by 11 points with minutes left on the clock. However Titans came back strongly and with 3 pointers from Coyne and Paulius Peldzius the result was once again in doubt, Captain Con Crowley hit 2 baskets on the bounce to give Maree breathing space and they held out to win by 6 at the end.
Top Scorer for Maree was Tomas Mitkus with 22 points. Top scorer for Titans was Paulius Peldzius who also had 22 points.
These rivals will meet again in the league in Renmore on the 25th of February in a game that will be eagerly awaited by supporters of both sides. Next up for Maree senior men is a cup game against Templeogue in Dublin next Sunday. While 6 of this team will be in action Saturday 26th November in Calasanctius at a 3 o’clock tip off as Maree’s U20 men take on Eanna of Dublin in a national cup quarter final. While on the 3rd 3 of this team will face off against Killester in the U18 national cup quarter final
Maree Team: C.Crowley (Capt., 9), C.O’Hagan (4), C.Harte, D.Callanan (4), J.Conroy, P.Burke (2), L.Conroy (13), E.Walsh (6), T.Mitkus (22), J.Brophy, C.Considine, K.Hansberry (10).
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Nov 13th: BI Mens Senior National Cup Round 2

Maree : 84 (Half Time: 31)
Fr Matthews : 49 (Half Time: 23)
Top Scorers
Maree : L.Conroy 17; C.Crowley 17; T.Mitkus 14

Maree Senior Men’s team were in action again this Sunday as they faced Fr.Matthews of Cork in the opening round of the National Cup. Maree were on a high following their big win last weekend over Castleisland and hoping to keep the winning momentum going this weekend.
The start of the game was a scrappy affair as the older Cork team attempted to slow the game down while the young Maree side attempted to run the ball at any opportunity. The Cork side succeeded somewhat in slowing the play however thanks to some excellent play from Enda Walsh, who scored 7 first quarter points as well as some excellent pressure defence by Colm O’Hagan Maree finished the quarter up 16-11.
The second quarter continued in much the same way as the first with the Cork side again slowing down the play. Maree were however again able to stay in front with James Brophy coming on to get some great rebounds and Ciaran Harte producing some excellent defence to score after a good steal. With the Cork side hitting two big three pointers to stay in the game Maree finished the quarter up 31-23.
The third quarter began with Fr.Matthews looking as if they might get back into the game however Con Crowley and Liam Conroy stepped up to the plate scoring well to stop the Fr.Matthews comeback. Kenneth Hansberry also showed his scoring ability after returning to the game following some early foul trouble. Maree ended the third 47-38.
It looked like finishing a low scoring affair following the third quarter; however Maree seemed to have other ideas. With Fr.Matthews having to attempt to claw back the lead and play quicker ball Maree were able to exploit this as it allowed them run their own fast game. Tomas Mitkus continued his excellent play scoring well and catching some great offensive rebounds. With Padraig Burke also showing great defence and ability to score under pressure and Jack Conroy coming on to steady the ship Maree dominated the last quarter scoring 37 points in the quarter to win the game 84-49.
Best for Maree were Con Crowley who finished with 17 points and Liam Conroy who finished with 9 rebounds, 7 steals, and 5 assists to go with his 17 points.
Next up for Maree is the re-arranged local derby versus Titans. This is the first derby of the year and looks like being a great encounter. Maree will go into the game as underdogs with Titans having added an American and a Canadian to their roster over the summer. Tip-off for that game is at 8.00p.m on Friday evening.
Team: C.Crowley (Capt., 17), C.O’Hagan (4), C.Harte (7), J.Conroy, P.Burke (8), L.Conroy (17), E.Walsh (8), T.Mitkus (14), J.Brophy, S.Zvirblinskas, K.Hansberry (9).

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Nov 6th: Maree vs CastleIsland

Maree : 93 (Half Time: 51)
Team Garveys St Marys : 88 (Half Time: 42)
Top Scorers
Maree : K.Hansberry 27; C.Crowley 27; L Conroy; T Mitkus 10

Maree Senior Men’s team met the reigning National Cup and League Champions St. Mary’s Castleisland in an action packed match in Oranmore this Sunday. Maree went into the games as underdogs after an indifferent start to the season having won two and lost two to date. It was a young Maree team which took to the floor with two 20 year olds, two 19 year olds and a 17 year old starting the game. Despite Maree started the brighter of the teams with scores from Liam Conroy, Tomas Mitkus and Con Crowley. Castleisland responded through Declan Wall and Andrew Fitzgerald but at the end of the first quarter Maree led 25-21.
Castleisland started the second quarter quicker and scored a couple of quick inside baskets making use of their greater strength against the young team. Enda Walsh was brought into the game to help on the boards and with Kenneth Hansberry showing a great shooters touch for a big guy Maree were able to hold back the Castleisland surge. With the scores level with 4 minutes to go in the second quarter Maree went on a 9 point scoring run to finish the quarter leaving Maree up 51-42 at half time.
The third quarter saw Castleisland again attempt to use their size inside to close the gap. James Brophy came on to deny them this opportunity using his strength to help protect the Maree lead. As well as some excellent defence from Colm O’Hagan on the influential Declan Wall and with Con Crowley putting in a captain’s performance Maree never allowed the gap get too close.
The final quarter saw Castleisland throw everything they had at the young Maree team. However with Kenneth Hansberry keeping up his impressive scoring rate and Padraig Burke going 4 from 4 from the line, Maree were able to hold out to win the game 93-88.
Top Scorers for Maree were Con Crowley and Kenneth Hansberry with 27 points each. Let’s hope the team can build on this great performance now in future games with next up being Fr.Matthews of Dublin in the National Cup in Oranmore on Sunday 13th November at 15.00 tipoff.
Team: C.Crowley (Capt., 27), C.O’Hagan (7), C.Harte, J.Conroy, P.Burke (4), L.Conroy (10), E.Walsh(4), T.Mitkus (10), J.Brophy (4), K.Hansberry (27).
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Oct 29th: Kilkenny vs Maree

Team Left Bank Kilkenny : 61 (Half Time: 27)
Maree : 50 (Half Time: 32)
Top Scorers: Maree : K Hansberry 23; J Brophy 11; T Mitkus 8
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Oct 16th - Maree vs Blue Demons, Calasanctius

Maree : 66 (Half Time: 29)
Blue Demons : 58 (Half Time: 23)
Top Scorers: Maree : K Hansberry 19; T Mitkus 16; E Walshe 10
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Oct 8th - Maree vs Ballina, Calasanctius:

Maree : 73 (Half Time: 32)
Loftus Recycling Ballina : 63 (Half Time: 31)
Top Scorers: Maree: T Mitkus 12; K Hansberry 12; C Crowley 12
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Oct 2nd - Ballon vs Maree in Palmerstown:

Ballon BC : 66 (Half Time: 34)
Maree : 43 (Half Time: 26)
Top Scorers:  Maree : T Mitkus 16; K Hansberry 11; C Crowley 6