Sports Digest/Basketball: Killester, Ballina and St Paul's all progressed to the quarter-finals of the national cup this weekend after second-round victories that keep aspirations of a league and cup double alive, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
St Paul's stole victory (89-86) from a strong Belfast Star side in the dying seconds of the game in Killarney thanks to a three-pointer on the buzzer by Shane Horgan. It was a cruel finale for the Belfast club who led throughout, opening up with a 10-point lead early in the first quarter.
In the fourth, with eight minutes to go in the game, Star led by 12 points but baskets from Antonio Cool and Irish International Eoin O'Brien cut the lead to 74-78. A big three from Horgan cut to four with just three minutes remaining. O'Brien levelled the game with 44 seconds on the clock.
Justin Winguard regained possession with a big rebound, drew a foul and with four seconds remaining supplied Horgan who took the responsibility of keeping the Kerry clubs cup campaign alive.
Despite the absence of the injured Ronan McGarrity and Chris Smith playing with 'flu, Ballina booked their spot and Killester made sure of their passage after just eight minutes of their game against Neptune by racing into a 24-6 lead.
Gaelic Games: Nickey Brennan, president of the GAA, has expressed his deep sadness on the death of Liam Higgins. Liam, from Lispole, near Dingle in Co Kerry, won senior All-Ireland football medals with Kerry in 1969 and 1970 and was a well known commentator on Gaelic games for Radio Kerry. Recently retired from teaching in Dingle CBS, Liam coached his Alma Mater to two All-Ireland B Colleges titles.
