Kelleher hoping Eagles can soar despite Quigley and Hall injuries

Paul Kelleher has experienced the highs and lows of basketball in recent seasons but the UL Eagles coach is confident his new role in Limerick will be a success.

Three seasons with C&S UCC Demons as head coach in the Men’s Premier League did not go to plan but Kelleher bounced back last season to guide Team Montenotte to a memorable women’s league and cup double.

On Sunday, Kelleher’s UL will entertain reigning champions Killester but injuries to Eoin Quigley and Matt Hall have dampened his preparations.

Kelleher said: “We have lost a couple of league games coming down the stretch that would make us look a lot better but when you lose two experienced players it can hurt you.”

Reflecting on the league, Kelleher believes it is presently two tiers.

“In my book there is Demons and then there’s the rest, but I have to say this is probably the best Demons teams in years, as their depth is frightening.”

Templeogue begin a weekend double-header this evening when they host Dublin Inter and tomorrow entertain league leaders C&S UCC Demons.

The Dublin side lost their opening three games but have since bounced back with three consecutive wins, much to the relief of coach Mark Keenan.

“We have a tough weekend as Dublin Inter are always a difficult side to wear down but that’s our first priority and then you have the might of Demons coming to our gym,” Keenan said.

Keenan gave a debut to American Isaac Gordon last weekend and with Jason Killeen returning to full fitness, they have a realistic chance of toppling the league leaders.

Demons were unstoppable last weekend when demolishing Killester but captain Shane Coughlan believes his team cannot afford to take any side in the league for granted.

“Last season when we played Templeogue it was like shoot-out at the OK Coral,” Coughlan said.

DCU Saints coach Joey Boylan will be hoping to bounce back from last week’s cup defeat as they get ready to face Belfast Star at the National Arena on Sunday.

Star were superb in their cup win over Swords Thunder and with Ricky Taylor and Conor Quinn combining for 53 points, they are sure to keep the Saints defence on their toes.

UCD Marian were buoyant after their 18-point win against BFG Neptune last weekend and on Sunday they have a mouthwatering Dublin derby against Swords Thunder.

The Thunder coach Dave Baker was disappointed with his team’s defeat to Belfast Star and is hoping they can bounce back against the students.

Baker said: “The guys were gutted but our total focus is now on getting a win against UCD Marian.”

In the Women’s Premier League, WIT Wildcats have a chance to avenge their cup defeat to UL Huskies when they entertain the Limerick side at Mercy College.

Meteors were reeling following their 40-point defeat to DCU Mercy in the cup and they have another difficult task when they travel to Leixlip to play Liffey Celtics.

WEEKEND ACTION

Tomorrow

Men's Premier League: Templeogue v C&S UCC Demons, Oblate Hall, 7pm; Women's Premier League: Maxol WIT Wildcats v UL Huskies, Mercy SS, 7pm; Courtyard Liffey Celtics v Meteors, Leixlip, 7.30.

Men's Division One: SSE Renewables Moycullen v C&S Blue Demons, NUIG, 5.30; Team Left Bank Kilkenny v Titans, Watershed SC, 6pm; Tolka Rovers BC v Eanna, 7.30.

Women's Division One: Women's Division One: NUIG Mystics v Team Denjoes American Style, NUIG, 1.30; Garvey’s Tralee Imperials v Oblate Dynamos, Mercy Mounthawk, 7pm; U20 Men's National Cup: St Brendan’s, Tralee v Belfast Star, Moyderwell, 4.45

Sunday

Men's Premier League: DCU Saints v Belfast Star, National Arena, 2pm; UL Eagles v Killester, UL, 3.30; UCD Marian v Travelodge Swords Thunder, National Arena, 4pm.