LIMERICK Celtics claimed their first Basketball Ireland Development League (BIDL) Men’s title, beating Tralee Warriors 84-72 in the final at the National Basketball Arena, Dublin on Saturday.

Celtics’ Philip Kearney picked up the game MVP following his double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds.

Defending champions Tralee Warriors made a strong start to this contest and were up by 10 points, 18-8, after back-to-back baskets from Aaron Fleming and Joshua Osayanrhion with three and a half minutes to go in the quarter.

Limerick Celtics responded with an 11-point run, finished off by Bryan Morrison’s three in the closing seconds of the quarter to put them 19-18 in front