Basketball: Unbeaten Glanmire on Mercy mission
Glanmire are the only unbeaten side in the league this season and coach Mark Scannell admits it is challenging to maintain such a run.
“When you look at last week’s results, with Liffey Celtics defeating Killester and Portlaoise Panthers turning over Meteors, you realise this is a tough league,” said Scannell.
“When DCU Mercy lost to Meteors in their opening game of the season people were writing them off, but knowing their coach Mark Ingle as I do, there was never a doubt in my mind he would get his team back in the mix.”
Glanmire defeated Cork rivals Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell last week and Scannell hopes his side will learn from a second-quarter slump where they were outscored 20-6.
In the Men’s Super League, leaders Templeogue, fresh from their recent win over UCC Demons, travel north to play Belfast Star.
Star introduced new American Dillon Stith last week away to Swords Thunder — the recruit hit 33 points in their 92-71 defeat.
It has been an indifferent season for Belfast Star but coach Darren O’Neill is hoping Stith will add the required steel to their defence.
There is an interesting Dublin derby as DCU Saints host the in-form UCD Marian, with Saints coach Joey Boylan hoping his side can recover from their 18-point loss to Irish TV Tralee Warriors.
Boylan will be demanding greater focus from his charges.
“Our young lads are learning the margin of error is minimal in this league and especially when you are about to face formidable opponents in UCD Marian,” he said.
Eanna are having a tough season in the top flight and require a top-class performance to see off an improving UL Eagles side.
UCC Demons have suffered a major dip in form with three consecutive defeats to Templelogue between league and cup.
Coach Tim O’Halloran is demanding an immediate response from his players.
“There is little doubt our form has dipped and I have relayed that message to my team who I am hoping will respond to the wake-up call,” O’Halloran said ahead of their clash with Moycullen at the Parochial Hall in Gurranabraher.
Kubs will need to be at their best to contend with the might of Swords Thunder when the sides clash at Greendale on Sunday.
