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