Bizarre basketball replay appears settled as Portlaoise 'refuse' game with Limerick Eagles

LIMERICK SPORT Eagles' replay drama seems to be settled as their opponents, Portlaoise Panthers, have issued another club statement saying they will refuse to play the 0.3 seconds quarter-final replay that has been proposed by Basketball Ireland on behalf of of the National League committee.

Eagles originally won in Portlaoise, 80-78, after former Irish international captain Jason Killeen netted a pair of free throws upon being adjudged to have been fouled in the act of shooting as the buzzer sounded.

However Portlaoise appealed these free-throws on the grounds that the shots should not have been permitted as the clock had expired at the same time that the foul had been called, Eagles were then notified that their semi-final had been canceled. 

This Wednesday morning in a statement made on their social media Portlaoise Panthers posted that they will "refuse to play the 0.3 seconds" as that was not part of their original appeal. 

The Instagram post read: 

"On Monday 1st April 2024 , Portlaoise Panthers basketball club received notification from Basketball Ireland National league committee that the last 0.3 seconds of our playoff quarter final against Limerick Sport Eagles was to be played. To clarify and to correct some misinformation that has been circulating on social media the past week, our appeal was never based on the grounds that there should have been 0.3 seconds played. Our appeal was soley based on, and supported by video evidence ,that the final foul call was 1.6 seconds after the buzzer had sounded. Initially the NAC (national appeals committee) found against this appeal but awarded a replay on the basis that there should have been 0.3 left. This was not what we appealed. The NLC (National League Committee) initially overruled their own appeals processes and then later changed their position
that 'our option to appeal to the NAC was granted in error.

"We would like to clearly state that at each step we followed the correct procedures as laid out by Basketball Ireland but we feel we have not been treated the same in return. We fully appreciate the disruption this has caused the clubs remaining in the Division 1 playoffs and it was never our intention for this to be dragged on f for the length it has been by C Our governing body.

"We think the ordering of 0.3 seconds to be replayed of our quarter final is completely against the spirit of basketball and as said above was never the basis for appeal. We would never ask nor expect Limerick Sport Eagles, a club whom we hold in the highest regard, to travel to Portlaoise to play the remaining 0.3 seconds. It would be in nobody's interest and would not be adherent to the values of the game of basketball.

"To be clear if we are instructed to take to the court the play the 0.3 seconds we will refuse to do so.

"We would like to sincerely wish Limerick Sport Eagles, UCD Marian & Tolka Rovers the very best of luck for the remainder of the playoffs. Three clubs who we have a great relationship with and respect on and off the court. It seems unfair that only one of you will get the opportunity to play Super League next season given the standard you and other teams in the league have set this year. We would also like to thank all the clubs and coaches from around all the leagues in all corners of the country who have been in touch the past week with messages of support. We really appreciate it.

"Finally we would like to end this by acknowledging the incredible season our men's national league team have given us this year. It has been an amazing journey and you have made us dare to dream of being only the 3rd club in the country to currently be competing in both men's and women's Super Leagues. To all the players, Jack, Ciaran and Paul you have enjoyed a breakout season playing an exciting brand of basketball that has drawn crowds to our home venue like we have never seen before.

"People will assume the final game of the season will be one we'd like to forget for a long time but they couldn't be more wrong, it's one that will be remembered by everyone in Portlaoise for a long long time given the atmosphere and excitement you created."