McGarrity set for hero’s return

RONAN McGARRITY will be accorded a hero’s welcome when he lines out for Merry Monk Ballina against Limerick Lions in their first SuperLeague game of the new season tomorrow night.

Irish sport was stunned by the news of the Mayo footballer’s testicular cancer scare, and will now celebrate as he makes his return, having helped Ballina Stephenites to their Mayo SFC title last week.

Ballina have signed former Irish international Shane O’Mara, while Pete Strobl, Lawrence Summers and Kenny Izzo have all joined under the Bosman rule.

Limerick Lions, who went through a traumatic period at the end of last season, travel to Mayo with a decent blend of youth and experience, and will play with renewed enthusiasm. They have their solid base of local Limerick players including Neil Campbell and Stephen King, along with experienced Rob Lynch, Aidan Holden and Aidan O’Brien. They are complemented with players at UL, including Paul O’Sullivan and Mike Dowd.

Hoops open their Nivea for Men’s SuperLeague campaign at home to DCU Saints (St Vincent’s) tonight. The Hoops possess plenty of height in the shape of 7-foot Nik Ntougais, who is a Bosman signing from Greece, while 6’8” Bryce May joins the side as part of the On Point HOOPS Programme.

The Saints will be looking to American duo Keenan Browder, a 6’4” forward, and Peter Madsen, a 6’1” guard, to unlock the Hoops, but will be without the services of Mike Trimmer who is a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury.

Joey Boylan’s charges have plenty of youth in their side this term, including Kevin Lacey, who is part of the link-up with Swords basketball club and has represented his country at international level.

There will be a lot of interest in the Killarney clash tomorrow night when Mustang Sally St Pauls entertain Neptune and welcome back Irish American Matthew Hilleary into their ranks as a Bosman signing.

Hillery will be joined by fellow Americans Jacob Mitchell (6’7” power forward) and Nick Covington (6’2” guard).

Neptune have a full-strength team for the visit to Killarney and will be handing SuperLeague debuts to Matt Gorman, a product of Syracuse University, Michael De Corso from New York University and Bosman Pat Fitzpatrick.

The Cork outfit also welcome back Ger Noonan from Killarney Lakers and will be expecting a big performance from experienced players Kieran O’Brien and veteran Gordon Fitzgerald.

Abrakebabra Tigers, the cup champions, face UCC Demons in an all Munster clash at the Tralee Sports Complex where Demons will parade new signings Terence Todd and Levi Levine, while the hosts are being forced to play just one of their American players due to a disciplinary issue.

Tigers will have Kerry football heroes Kieran Donaghy and Michael Quirke as they look to open their campaign on a positive note.