A record 10th ESB Super league title was the reward for Neptune's 100-76 victory over Kerry Spring Killarney on Saturday night. So after a two year absence the title returns to Cork.
Neptune needed to take the two points from Killarney before they could start celebrating. However, from early in the game that was always going to be the case.
American Rasuel McKune has been a revelation all season and he claimed an incredible 21 points in the first-half alone. Not unexpectedly then Neptune held a comfortable 50-31 lead at the interval.
With Ricardo Leonard and Stephen McCarthy also in outstanding form they stretched the lead to 27 points by the end of the third-quarter before cruising home with the 24-point victory margin. Deservedly, McKeune was top scorer with his 31 points. It probably would not matter anyway but St Vincent's defeat by Star of the Sea meant that Neptune were always going to be too far ahead for any of the chasing teams to catch them in the final three weeks.
Star, the defending champions, got the better of St Vincent's 100-86 after leading by 14 points at half-time. Star's win keeps them part of a three-way tie for second place along with Denny Notre Dame and Esat Telecom Demons.
The Demons kept their runner-up chances alive with a close 7471 win over Killester also on Saturday. Yesterday's main result saw Dungannon end their losing streak with an 88-80 win over UCD Marian, while Sligo Dairies had an equally rare win over the Clare Jets.
Meanwhile, the race for the women's super league title refuses to conclude. By losing to defending champions Avonmore Snowcream Wildcats 78-55, Tolka Rovers must now win two of their last three games before they can be sure of the honour.
Saturday's game in Waterford was a surprisingly one-sided affair as the Wildcats jumped to a 44-25 lead at the halfway mark. Tolka were unable to claw their way back despite a fine 27 point contribution from Rachel Kelly.
Elsewhere there was a comfortable 62-48 win for Meteors over Killester to keep them secure in third place. The combination of Karen Hennessey and Sinead Harvey once again proved crucial.
