The Limerick Lions U18 boys opened their All-Ireland League season with both games won on the road in Belfast, the second taking double overtime to settle.
It took two matches and a fair bit of nerve, but the Lions left the Newforge Sports Complex on Sunday with maximum points from the opening day of the Basketball Ireland All-Ireland League.
The first job was Phoenix BC. There was nothing simple about it. The Lions had to grind through a tough, physical battle to come out in front, the kind of opener that tells you plenty about a group early in the season.
Then came the hosts. Belfast Star pushed Limerick all the way and beyond, the game running to a second period of overtime before the visitors finally edged it. Two extra periods on top of a full forty is a serious shift for any side, never mind the first outing of the campaign.
By the final buzzer there were tired legs and sore bodies all over the bench. Nobody was complaining. Two wins from two, away from home, is about as good as an opening day gets.