Team Merry Monk BIDL plate champions 24/25

Merry Monk-Ballina Triumphs in Thrilling Victory Over Cavan Eagles

In an electrifying showdown at the National Basketball Arena, Merry Monk-Ballina secured an impressive 81-68 victory against the Cavan Eagles. Team Merry Monk put on a dazzling display, sinking 14 three-pointers compared to the Eagles' eight, much to the delight of the roaring crowd. The game was fiercely competitive, featuring four ties and six lead changes, but Merry Monk-Ballina's dominance shone through as they surged ahead by as many as 24 points at one stage.  

The Cavan Eagles started strong, with Ben Kelly Flynn scoring 10 points to help his team take a 25-21 lead after the first quarter. Merry Monk-Ballina fought back in the second, trimming the deficit to just four points by halftime (45-41). The third quarter proved decisive, as Merry Monk-Ballina unleashed a devastating 29-8 run, spearheaded by Theo Daly’s 14-point outburst, to seize control with a 70-53 advantage heading into the final period. Though the Eagles mounted a late push, they couldn’t overcome the deficit, and Merry Monk-Ballina closed out the game with an 81-68 win.  

Ronan O’Malley delivered a standout performance, finishing with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. Theo Daly brought the MVP trophy with him back to Mayo after scoring 14 pts in the 3rd quarter, where the game was won for Ballina.

Ballina finished with a record of 8 wins from 10 games in the BIDL and 7 from 9 in the UN20 competition. The club has put a huge focus on bringing through new talent, but that wouldn't be possible without great mentors such as Ronan O'Malley, Ronan Mcgarrity, Peter Papik and Rory Upton. The 2 teams were also guided by our great coach, Derek Cunningham, who continues to put in huge time and effort into coaching.