Templeogue aiming to tighten grip on fourth
A win for Templeogue would seal a quarter-final place in the Champions Trophy and for coach Mark Keenan this will give his team an opportunity to win the last major silverware on offer.
“The Champions Trophy is a prestigious tournament and we are very focused in making a bold bid to win it,” Keenan said.
Keenan is pleased with the progress of his side but also respects that Dublin Inter will want to finish the season in style.
“You always find that Dublin Inter will test the majority of teams in this league as they shoot the ball particularly well and we will have to be alert in the manner we defend against them,” added Mark.
Recently Keenan lost out in his application for coach of the Irish Senior Men’s All Star team to compete in China and he was disappointed after holding the position for three years.
“All I want to say is while wishing Colin O’Reilly the very best of luck I was extremely disappointed in being omitted and I have no further comment to make on the subject,” Keenan said.
Killester consolidated third place in the league last week when defeating Travelodge Swords Thunder and they will be expected to see off UL Eagles at Clontarf.
Ironically Killester failed to score in the opening quarter against Swords Thunder but did enough in the remaining three to win, much to the delight of their bemused coach Jonathon Grennell. “Let’s just say we got a poor start but I was pleased in the manner we got back in the game and it was a crucial win for us,” Jonathon said.
Travelodge Swords Thunder impressed many folk this season with their runner up league spot to C & S UCC Demons and tomorrow their credentials will be tested when they travel to play UCD Marian at Belfield.
The Swords coach Dave Baker was very disappointed with his teams defeat to Killester but they bounced back 48 hours later to dispose of BFG Neptune.
Baker believes his team will progress following their impressive debut in the Premier league. “I think we were just unlucky to come up against a team in the class of UCC Demons but we want to keep the momentum going as we head into the Champions Trophy semi-final,” Baker said. “UCD Marian are always a tough team to play against and we will need to sharp at both ends of the floor as they have some formidable scorers in their squad.”
Belfast Star coach Neil McCotter was miffed last week when his side were defeated by a buzzer beater shot from Templogue’s Isaac Gordon.
On Sunday the northerners host DCU Saints and if the Star American Ricky Taylor is in good shooting form they could bounce back to defeat the inconsistent Dublin side.
In the Women’s Premier League, two crucial games will decide the make up of the semi-final two-leg play-offs.
DCU Mercy are involved in a mouth- watering home clash against Liffey Celtics where a win will guarantee them the runner up berth.
Singletons SuperValu Brunell will be hoping to overcome Meteors, as defeat would pair them with fellow Cork side Team Montenotte in the semi final play off.
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