First win of the season!

Dundalk Ravens 80-67 Killinkere BC


Ravens' first home game of the season drew a big crowd and they were sent home happy with the win and where entertained with a good team performance. The hone team welcomed back David Maguire and Fu Faapito. The Ravens got off to a flying with three pointers from M. Dida and Darren McGovern. Mateusz Karpinski was the thorn in the side of Killinkere all game with some great inside play. Fu Faapito showed his worth to the Ravens cause this year with some great defence and assist play. Mindi Savicius played excellent fast break basketball all game long.

Though it wasn't all plain sailing for the Ravens as the the Killinkere squad rallied in the second quarter to only put three points between the teams at half time. Solid defence and organised offensive play seen the Ravens command the third quarter and went into the final quarter with a comfortable lead.

Two three pointers from McGovern put the game out of sight which meant the Ravens could give the under-age players a run out. In the end the Ravens won comfortably 80-67.  The Ravens next game is away to newcomers to the league the Mullingar Devils on Saturday night.

Team and Scorers; Darren McGovern 18, Mateusz Karpinski 24, Mindaugas Savicius 18, Mohammad Dida 5, Liam Woods 7, David Maguire 8, Fu Faapito, Kristap Blums, Villius Kuzma

First game of new season ends in defeat

Athboy Cobras 69-58 Dundalk Ravens

Dundalk Ravens first game of the new season ended in defeat away to Athboy Cobras in Trim leisure centre on Friday night. It was a valiant effort made by the six players who in attendance due to injuries and college commitments. Ravens are missing a vast number of the squad from last years losing semi final team due to players leaving to return home (Andrius Burba and Kostas Keraputis), also others who want to try their hands at another sport (Fu Faapito and Aaron Lawless) and one more to work commitments (John Rafferty) Also let us not forget Gonzo who left for the money and went to Oz!

The game began well with two quick three pointers from Darren McGovern and some great rebounding on the defensive end from Mateusez Karpinski who is expected to become a very important player with the Ravens this coming season and others. New comer to the team this year and DKIT French student Mohammad Dida fitted well into the team from the start. Tadas Nerbutas and Mindi Savilius continued from the last couple of seasons to be very reliable players. Also one addition from the under aged set up Kristop Blums acquitted himself quite well when called upon during the game. At the end of the first quarter the Ravens led 17-14.

In the the Cobras main player Eamon Brady found a few easy baskets to help chip into the Ravens lead. Scores from Karpinski and McGovern cancelled these out later in the quarter. The quarter ended with a huge dunk by Mateusz Karpinski on the break away. At half time the Ravens still led 33-29.

The third quarter is where the game was won by the Cobras with their defence picking up some good turnovers and converting them wit ease. Mindi tried in vein to get scores and did so but with little help offensively the Cobras took the led going into the final quarter 55-46.

With only one sub for the game the Ravens tired quickly and ill discipline again came back to haunt them. After a few minutes the Ravens had nothing left in the tank and ran out victors in the end. Though the Ravens will look forward to the return home leg where they will hope to overturn this result of 69-58 to the Cobras

Team and Scorers

Darren McGovern 24, Mateusz Karpinski 10, Mindi Savilius 13, Tadas Nerbutas 3, Kristop Blums 2, Mohammad Dida 6

Ravens Qualify for Top Four

Dundalk Ravens 109-64 Carrick on Shannon Cougars 

A fantastic first quarter set up an easy win for the Ravens to make forth spot theirs with one more game remaining. Mindi Savicius was on fire in the first quarter scoring 17 points helped with 6 from Darren McGovern, 8 from Andrius Burba and two threes from Aaron Lawless. At the end of the first quarter the Ravens were up 37-17.

From an early stage the Ravens played their bench as the Cougars were pretty much second in everything from scoring to rebounds. Excellent scores from M Karpinski, K Keraputis and D Maguire helped the Ravens maintain a big led for the Ravens. Half time score was 55-40.

The third quarter the Ravens pulled further away with three pointers from Darren McGovern (2), K Keraputis, M Savicius and T Nerbutas. The final quarter seen the game lose its competitive edge as the Cougars realised their was nothing they could do to stop the Ravens tonight with the game ending in a 109-64 victory for the Ravens to clinch a top four spot.

The Ravens now play Mullingar Dragons in the semi final who won the league and also play them in the final league game of the season.


Team and Scorers:
Darren McGovern (19), Fu Faapito, David Maguire (2), John Rafferty (2), Mindagas Savicius (35), Kostas Keraputas (9), Tadas Nerbutas (7), Liam Woods, Mateusz Karpinski (6), Andrius Burba (16), Aaron Lawless (8)

Video Clips

Old Pics

Athboy Cobras 63-75 Dundalk Ravens

Ravens Shoot the Cobras Down


On Friday night the Ravens traveled to Trim Leisure Centre needing a win to keep the hopes of a top four semi final berth alive. With an under strength squad and only seven players playing the Ravens knew they were in for a tough match up against the Cobras. Missing in action were Aaron Lawless, Fu Faapito, Mindi Mindagas, Kostas Keraputis and John Rafferty. The Ravens began the match with a flury of scores beginning with a three pointer from Darren McGovern after only a few seconds. Andrius Burba showed his worth as the leagues best rebounder with some excellent offensive rebounds and put backs. Tadas Narbutas was running the point in absence of others and played well and set up some good scores for others. Three pointers from Liam Woods and David Maguire set up a 18-13 lead for the Ravens at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter began with a 12-0 run for the Ravens with great scores coming from McGovern, Burba and Maguire. Mateusz Karpinski came off the bench to show his value as a top defender. Excellent defense in the quarter along with McGovern's 10 points put the Ravens up 44-22.

The third quarter was more of the same from the Ravens with good scores coming from Woods, McGovern and Burba. The Cobras changed up their defense but where unable to find any thing that would slow up the Ravens. They took a 60-38 lead into the final quarter.

With the points pretty much in the bag the Ravens cruised to victory behind Darren McGovern's 28 points and Andrius Burba's 23 points. This win leaves the Ravens needing one win from their two remaining games to secure a top four spot. Next game is at home in the Muirhevnamor Sports Centre on 9th April when the Carrick On Shannon Cougars visit. Tip off is at 6.30 and all support welcome.

Team and Scorers
Darren McGovern (28), David Maguire (17), Liam Woods (5), Tadas Narbutas, John Loghlin, Matuesz Karpinski (2), Andrius Burba (23)

Mullingar Dragons 75-62 Dundalk Ravens

 Ravens suffer loss away to Mullingar Dragons


On Saturday night the Ravens made the trip to Rochfortbridge to play the Dragons. With only seven players available due to various commitments the Ravens knew this would be a difficult game for them. Two under 19 players started in David Maguire and John Rafferty and also had a third in Liam Woods who played a vital role off the bench. Darren McGovern started brightly for the Ravens with a three pointer followed soon after with another. M Mindagas was showing some good promise early but got into foul trouble quickly which limited his playing time to help the Ravens get scores on the board. A Burba was strong at the rim and got the Ravens rebounding against a bigger Dragons team. The Ravens showed good spirit to be ahead 18-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Going into the second the Ravens continued with good play on the defensive end and also offensively. A Burba had a good quarter scoring 6 points and setting up fast breaks with great rebounds. John Rafferty ran the point position well and had help from K Keraputis who turned up late to the game due to work which hampered him with no warm up and struggled to get into the game straight away. The Ravens held their own and finished the half up 30-26.

The Dragons came out of the half time break with huge attack from the three point line scoring 5 in the quarter along with some easy scores due to the poor defense from the Ravens. Even when the Ravens changed up their defense nothing seemed to work as the Dragons continued to score at ease. National League player Janner Heering was in fantastic form for the Dragons and couldn't seemingly miss in the quarter scoring 18 in the period. At the end of the third quarter the score was 60-42

Going into the final quarter down 18 was always going to be difficult to get back but the Ravens fought hard and manged to get back to to two points with good scores from D McGovern and A Burba but the Dragons had something left and got a couple of scores from the free throw line and the Ravens lost Mindagas to being fouled out. Needless turnovers proved to be the difference with the teams and the Dragons ran out worthy winners. Next up for the Ravens is another away game to the Athboy Cobras on Friday night and will be hoping for a better performance from the team.

Team and scorers
Darren McGovern (22), David Maguire (6), John Rafferty, Mindi Mindagas (14), Kostas Keraputis (5), Liam Woods (2), Andrius Burba (13).

Dundalk Ravens 88-65 Athboy Cobras

Second win a row for the Ravens


The Ravens secured another vital win over a well run Athboy Cobras team who are hanging around the bottom of the table. The Ravens started the game well with M Mindagas in particular good form with big scores and A Burba worked the rebounds well for the Ravens. Fu Faapito was running the point position with excellent vision to find his teammates for easy scores. Athboy's attack was poor at times at the beginning which led to the Ravens getting easy fast break scores through D McGovern and M Karpinski. Although the Cobras began to find their rhythm on the offensive side and made some great scores. At the end of the first quarter the Ravens were up 24-17.

The second quarter started like the first with excellent shooting coming from M Mindagas and D McGovern. M Karpinski showed his worth to the team with some excellent rebounds as he came in for A Burba who got into very early foul trouble. K Keraputis ran the offensive well and found openings in the defense to exploit. A Lawless who had a quiet game hit a big three near the end of the quarter for only a poor decision by the referee to allow an Athboy score clearly after the buzzer sounded. At half time the score was 51-30 with the Ravens in a strong position.

In the third the Ravens continued their strong defense to make things difficult for the Cobras to make easy scores. T Narbutas had some good steals along with scores on the other side. Fu Faapito continued his eagle eyed passes for easy scores to be converted by A Lawless and M Mindagas to make sure the Ravens were in a comfortable led of 67-43 at the end of the third quarter.

Going into the final quarter the Ravens were comfortable and the win was almost secure. So the Ravens ran the bench and some of its younger players who will get their chance to show if the can make the grade in other games and also their own leagues. DKIT student player J Rafferty hit a good baseline jump shot and a strong drive by L Woods showed that they can play offense at this level. The Ravens ran out easy victors in this game on a scoreline of 88-65.

Team and scorers

Darren McGovern (11), Fu Faapito (5), Mindi Mindagas (34) Andrius Burba (3), Kostas Keraputis (15), Mateusz Karpinski (5), David Maguire, Liam Woods (2), J Rafferty (2), Tadas Narbutas (4), Aaron Lawless (8)

Pics from Killinkere game (photos credit to Joey McGrath)

Aaron Lawless Slam Dunks

Fu Faapito in posession

Kostas Keraputis on defense

Mindi with a free throw

Tadas Nerbustas on defense

Dundalk Ravens 96-60 Killinkere

Return to winning ways for the Ravens


On Saturday evening the Dundalk Ravens welcomed Cavan outfit Killenkere to the Sports Centre. The Ravens had something to prove to the themselves after three poor losses on the road. The game started brightly for the Ravens with Aaron Lawless scoring 8 quick fire points followed with seven for Darren McGovern. Good rebounding by starters John Loughlin and M Mindagas set up easy scores for the Ravens. Killinkere were not helped with only five regular players travelling to Dundalk. This meant the Ravens game plan was to run the game quicker to tire out the short handed Killenkere. At the end of the first quarter the Ravens led 22-15.

The second quarter saw the introduction of players for the Ravens with M Karpinski finally showing he can produce good score at this level. Kostas Keraputis had his second game of the season with the Ravens due to work comitments and produced a good display of defense and scoring 9 points in the quarter. By half time the Ravens led 43-28.

With the game pretty much tided up the Ravens began to give as many minutes to players who usually don't get much court time and they stepped up accordingly with John Loughlin scoring a three and a lay up and M Mindagas went on a scoring spree himself with 8 points. By the end of the third quarter the Ravens led by 74-43.

The forth quarter was practically a training session for the Ravens and needed plenty of concentration as the contest was over but they wanted to continue until the end giving a strong performance. The game was entertaining with slam dunks and long three pointers and the Ravens hope to take this confidence and teamwork to their next game against Athboy Cobras on the Saturday 26/2/11 at home in the Sports Centre at 6.30. All support welcome and free of charge.

Team and scorers
Darren McGovern (18), Fu Faapito (2), Aaron Lawless (16), M Mindagas (25), M Karpinski (9), T Nerbustas (2), D Maguire, J Rafferty, K Keraputis (19), L Woods, J Loughlin (5).

Another Away Defeat for Ravens

Longford Torpedo 72-66 Dundalk Ravens


The Dundalk Ravens made the long trip to Longford to face rivals for a top four spot on Saturday night. The Ravens had little excuse with 11 players travelling after two poor losses. The game started at a frantic pace with scores from A Lawless and A Burba. Jim Ward made some great early scores for Longford along with brother John Ward. Two quick fouls forced D McGovern to sit on the bench for most of the 1st half. The first quarter was low scoring but quite physical with A Lawless suffering a nasty fall on fast break and injuring his foot but eventually returned to the game.

The second quarter saw the Torpedoes open an 8 point gap. Though good scores coming from M Mindagas and AJ O'Neill. Fu Faapito began to settle into the game with a couple of good steals and scores on the break. Although Longford were finding easy scores against the poor Ravens defense. At half time Longford led 36-33.

In the second half the Ravens struggled to keep up with the Torpedoes strong defense. After a few minutes of play the referee stopped play due to condensation on both ends of the floor. This is a health hazard and to the credit of Keenagh GAA Centre the maintenance men cleared the condensation with blow heaters to allow the game to continue after a 20 minute stoppage. The stoppage seemed to help the Ravens as they scored seven unanswered points with a three from A Lawless and scores from M Mindagas and A Burba. At the end of the third quarter the Ravens trailed 52-48.

The forth quarter was very aggressive with both teams committing fouls as the both teams looked to seal the win. Though it was the hot shooting of Longford's Jimmy Ward that was to the forefront of everything Longford done. Longford clearly were more organised than the Ravens and this stood to them as the ran out victors on a scoreline of 72-66.

The Ravens next match is a welcomed return to Dundalk with Killenkere the team who travels to Muirhevnamor Sports Centre on Staurday. Tip Off is 6.30 and all support is welcome and free entry to all.

Team and scorers
Darren McGovern (2), Fu Faapito (6), David Maguire (2), John Rafferty (3), M Mindagas (14), T Nerbustas, AJ O'Neil (3), M Karpinski (4), J Loughlin, A Burba (14), A Lawless (18)

Dublin Business School 63-61 DKIT

DKIT fall short on big effort V's DBS

Top L-R; B Griffin, K Norwak, Kev Lacey, C Martin, D McGovern (Coach)

Bottom L-R : Z Zeynels, E Ryan, A, O'Maolagain, J Rafferty, AJ O'Neil

DKIT face their second game in three days against top of the league and unbeaten DBS on Friday morning. DKIT needed a another big effort that they showed against ITB and DKIT coach Darren McGovern got what he asked from his players. DBS started brightly with their American Glenn Wong showing off his long range shooting. Slowly DKIT came in to the game with two three pointers from AJ O'Neil and Kev Lacey. Kev Lacey showed his worth to the team with great defense. Z Zelnys caused trouble for DBS with some good drives to the basket and good passing. Though, it was proving difficult for DKIT to stop Wong getting off his three pointers. At the end of the quarter it was level at 14 all.

At the beginning of the second quarter J Rafferty hit a big three for DKIT and followed with a good fast break to put the away team ahead. Some more good scores by Kev Lacey and great rebounding by K Norwak and C Martin settled DKIT well into the game. DBS began to find easy scores to DKIT's frustrations. This led to DBS taking a 36 - 30 lead to half time.

Following the break Kev Lacey took over the scoring for DKIT with 8 quick points. You could feel that DKIT were beginning to believe that they could sneak a win.

Going into the forth DKIT were only down four points. The Dundalk lads stuck to the game plan and ran their set play well each time gettin good scores and good shots. Some lucky scores on great defense by DKIT fell for DBS at crucial times. With 50 seconds to go the game was level with DBS's G Wong in possession. He managed to convert a good drive through the middle to put DBS up two. Then it as DKIT's turn and K Lacey almost converted a mid range shot only to feel he was fouled but was not called. So it was left for DKIT to foul and put DBS on the line and hope they miss. And that's what happened. with 13 seconds remaining some poor decisions by DKIT guards meant that they didn't run a set play that was so successful for them all game. This will be put down to inexperience and they will learn from it again. This loss still leaves the DKIT squad in second place.

Top Scorers
Kev Lacey  27
Aj O'Neill  11
J Rafferty  8

Blanchardstown IT 53 - 71 DKIT

Ravens players help the DKIT cause for a league semi final spot


The DKIT squad completed a great away win against a good ITB team. DKIT welcomed in Z. Zelnys for his first start of the year and contributed well in the first quarter with some great drives and assists. Kev Lacey opened the scoring for DKIT with two free throws, which were a common occurence from this game for the DCU Saints player. A big three from John Rafferty put six points between the teams before Blanch IT opened their account. Great rebounding by K Norwak and set up some easy fastbreak scores for the Ravens which led to a 12 - 6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter started again brightly for DKIT with scores coming from Lacey, Rafferty and Zelnys. Though DKIT were dealt a blow when Ravens guard AJ O'Neil picked up his third foul early in the second quarter which meant the coach took him out to make sure he was good to play in the second half. This didn't halt DKIT one bit with strong play coming from E Ryan and C Martin who were able replacements. At half time the Dundalk lads led 26- 18.

DKIT had alot to do in the third quarter to make sure the win was theirs and they went score for score with ITB. Kev Lacey carried the bulk of the scoring in this quarter hitting 10 of his 30 points to help put the DKIT team up 42-34 going into the final quarter.

The final quarter was almost easy for DKIT as they scored 29 points in this quarter alone, helpped with big threes from E Ryan who hit two and A O'Maolagain. Z Zelnys also contributed with some great fast break points and was well assisted by AJ O'Neil.

The win sets up a big game away to top of the table Dublin Business School. With a couple of scholarship players and a well coached team this will prove a great test to see how far the DKIT basketball team have come this year.

Top Scorers

K Lacey 30
Z Zelnys 11
J Rafferty 8

Ravens Video v Kilenaleck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4kh7qtA0N0&feature=player_embedded

Poor performance from under strength squad provides another loss on the road for Ravens

Killenaleck Titans 77-58 Dundalk Ravens

The Dundalk Ravens suffered their second loss in as many games in a poor start to the second half of the season. The team traveled to Killenaleck to face the titans who the Ravens beat at home by forty points with only seven players. The team missed the experience and leadership of Fu Faapito, also absent where Andrius Burba, David Maguire, AJ O'Neil and Mateusz Karpinski. The Ravens where not helped by arriving at the wrong gym only to find out that the game was in Mullahoran which was another ten miles away. Eventually the team made it in the nick of time only forced to start the game with a technical foul for being late.

The game started without the Ravens getting much of a warm up which was an advantage to the Titans who went on a scoring spree at the start hitting 5 first quarter three pointers which led to a 24-8 first quarter lead. The Ravens where under sized compared to the bigger and more aggressive Titans. The Titans continued to get second chance scores off offensive rebounds. The Ravens finally found their feet in the second quarter with good scores coming from Aaron Lawless and Darren McGovern. Although, the Ravens only managed to close the gap by two points in this quarter. The good man to man defense was the main contributing factor here to help the Ravens settle. Good rebounding by Liam Woods and Mindi Savicius set up some good scores for the Ravens to go into the break trailing 37-23.

The second half began with some belief for Ravens after good scores fell for A. Lawless and L. Woods. Unfortunatley, the Titans continued their hot shooting from the three point line to keep their lead intact which made it difficult for the Ravens to get the lead down to single figures. At the beginning for the forth quarter the Ravens trailed by 13 points. The Ravens needed to find some sort of offensive spark early in the quarter to compete for the win and this happened with a three from D. McGovern and great individual scores from A. Lawless got the lead down to ten points but some good scores from the Titans and some suspect calls from the referees allowed the Titans to cruise to victory which was fully deserved from the start.

This loss leaves the Ravens sweating on results from the weekend to see if they remain in the top four for the end of year playoffs. The Ravens next game is at home to Carrick on Shannon Cougars on Saturday at 6.30pm in Muirhevnamor Sports Centre. Support is welcome and appreciated. Free entry to all spectators.

Team and Scorers

Darren McGovern (13)
Aaron Lawless (31)
John Loughlin
John Rafferty
Mindi Savicius (10)
Liam Woods (4)
Tadas Nerbusitas

Game Footage Vs Savi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq61VaYE6PY&feature=player_embedded

Pics from the Savi Game

 Team Photo: Back row, Left to right: Andrius Burba, Aaron Lawless, Darren McGovern, Mateusz Kirpinski, Liam Woods, Fu Faapito.

Front row, Left to right: Tadas Narblstas, AJ O'Neil, John Rafferty, John Loughlin, David Maguire

Andrius Burba on the hight post

Fu with great finish at the basket

Aaron Lawless finishes the fast break

Another power move by Andrius Burba

Lawless hits a mid range shot

Savi BC 87-82 Dundalk Ravens

On Saturday night the Dundalk Ravens let slip a fantastic opportunity to pull further ahead at the top of the league by losing to Savi BC with a helping hand I must say from some poor calls by the officials down the stretch of the game. The Ravens missing a few starters from the team began brightly with a solid team performance which was lead by Fu Faapito. Fu made some great assists and also contributed to the scores himself early in the contest. Fast break points by Aaron Lawless and strong inside plays by Andrius Burba put the Ravens up 7 at the end of the first quarter. It could have been alot more only for the five threes scored by Savi.

The second quarter of the game was exciting as it was score for score with great scores coming from Darren McGovern, Liam Woods and AJ O'Neil. Great defensive rebounds by Andrius Burba kept the smaller Ravens in touch with Savis' strong emergence into the game. By half time the Ravens where still up by seven points with a scoreline of 48-41.

The third quarter was a difficult time for the Ravens as Savi came out the better after the half time break. The Ravens struggled to keep up with the physical aggression but to them by Savi. This lead to bad decision making and poor passes which lead to easy scores by Savi. Though the Ravens managed to find some composure towards the end of the quarter with two three points coming from Darren McGovern and good inside scores by Andrius Burba to leave the Ravens up by three.

The final quarter was entertaining to say the least. Savi hit a couple of long three pointers at the beginning and also added a fast break lay up to move 5 points ahead before the Ravens could mange to settle into the forth quarter. Some poor rebounding by the Ravens gave alot of second chance opportunities to Savi to help themselves to a healthy lead. Though the Ravens where boosted by the hot shooting hand of Darren McGovern who hit five second half three pointers and had six in total. This helped the Ravens to pull back to being two points down with 24 seconds remaining. To anyone who understand the final few seconds of a basketball match knows that to get the ball back you must steal it quickly or foul to put the team on the free throw line and hope they miss. So after they did not manage a steal a quick foul was committed on the ball by Fu Faapito but it was adjudged by the referee as intentional which meant that Savi would have two shots and the ball back in their possession. The referees claim that it is a new rule that you can't intentional foul in the final minutes, but this was a play to steal the ball and was judged as an intentional foul. Worse was to follow as when the Ravens almost stole the ball for a second time a second intentional foul was called by the referee to the amazement of not only the Ravens but Savi also. So the game was settled on the free throw line and left the Ravens to savour a poor loss to a team they should have beaten.

Team and Scorers

Fu Faapito (6)
Darren McGovern (31)
John Rafferty
Liam Woods (5)
David Maguire (3)
Tadas Nerblstas (3)
AJ O'Neil (2)
Mateusz Kirpinski
John Loughlin
Andrius Burba (16)
Aaron Lawless (15)