IT Carlow missed out on a chance for promotion to the InsureMyVan.ie Super League after defeat to the Ej Sligo All-Stars at the weekend.
The Sligo side had a 94-68 win over IT Carlow in the InsureMyVan.ie Division 1 semi-final, with promotion on offer to each club that reaches the Division 1 playoff final.
The Division 1 North Conference winners were 27-13 ahead at the end of the opening quarter, a lead stretched to 18 points by half-time, 47-29.
There was to be no second-half fightback from IT Carlow. Ej Sligo All-Stars offense was led by Zack Powell (26), Keith Jordan Jr. (25), and Oisin O’Reilly (18).
For IT Carlow, their scoring was headed by Kevin Donohoe (22), Jordan Fallon (14), and Nate Shafer (9).
IT Carlow head coach Martin Conroy was magnanimous in defeat.
“All-Stars played like All-Stars tonight. They were aggressive, assured, and composed and played at a pace we couldn’t get to grips with” said Conroy.
“They shot the ball unbelievably well and forced us out of our comfort zone. Their three pro’s Jordan, Powell, and Hayes were outstanding and Oisín and Cian definitely chipped in and made it very difficult for us”.
“Our guys kept going right to the last whistle though and I’m very proud of them for that. It’s a tough one to take but we’ll learn and move on to next season”.
“It’s been a decent year and hopefully we’ll be right back in the thick of it next season also. Best of luck to Sligo in the final next weekend”, Conroy said.