Women's Superleague gets underway

The ESB women's Superleague gets underway this weekend, with eight teams participating for the 2004 title.

Tipperary Talons have withdrawn from the Superleague, last year's new entrants unable to field a team this season.

The pressure is on University of Limerick this year, with seven other teams only too willing to strip them of their three titles over the next six months.

Under National Competition Committee regulations, each club in the women's Superleague are allowed sign one player who has not been resident in the State for the last year.

University of Limerick take on St Paul's in their opening game of the women's Superleague, the only team that managed to defeat the Champions throughout last season.

Limerick will be without Deirdre Leahy and Margaret Daly this season.

Leahy's work commitments have brought her to Cork, so she has transferred to Glanmire, while Daly has completed her studies in Limerick.

Coach Tony Hehir has signed six foot Bethany Schott from Davidson College, who, along with 2003 Player of the Year Michelle Aspell, should make UL a formidable outfit again this season.

After a superb debut season in the Superleague, St Paul's have made few changes to their squad.

Sarah Cartmill returns from the US for her second season with the Killarney club, while they have signed 5'11" Daire Barrett from Listowel.

Drimnagh Dynamos continue to strengthen their squad, with former Tolka Rovers player, Sharyn Kelly added to the roster.

In addition, Coach Jimmy Clarke has imported 5'11" Sonia Cotton from Miami, Florida.

Waterford Wildcats are coming to terms with the loss of stalwarts Trish Nolan and Catriona White who have both retired this season, while Jenny Kelly has committed herself to her studies this year and will not be playing.

To restore strength to the squad, 5'11" guard Nicole Conway from Boston College has been signed to the club, but picked up an injury playing in a UL pre-season tournament.

A dislocated shoulder has kept Conway out of action for the last number of weeks, but it is hoped that she will return to the court early in the season.

A further boost to the squad is the remarkable Senior Schoolgirl of the Year, Grainne O'Dwyer. O'Dwyer is pursuing her studies in WIT this year.

As well as Sharyn Kelly, Tolka Rovers will also be without Suzanne Maguire this season, following her transfer to Killester.

Rachel Kelly continues her travels in Australia, but the club hope to have her back in Dublin for the second half of the season. New signings include, 6'1" forward, Kat Sungy from Jacksonville, Texas along with Division One Player of the Year and former Firhouse player, Marla Candon.

Lorraine Farrelly, a 5'9" guard, has joined the club from Tipperary Talons and Tanya McGrath, a 5'6" guard has transferred from Maynooth.

Tolka open their season with a Dublin derby, taking on Meteors at home on Saturday evening.

Meteors may have under-performed last season, but with the signing of 5'10" guard, Liz O'Connor from Holy Cross, Massachusetts, the team should be more competitive.

Alison Smyth has transferred from Longford Falcons to Meteors, the 5'10" post player a further boost to the side.

Killester will be the only club in the women's Superleague who have opted against bringing in a foreign player to the squad, but with the addition of Suzanne Maguire, Maeve Coleman's team should hold their own.

Emer Brophy's younger sister Paula, a 5'9" guard, has progressed from underage for a place on the squad.

After a couple of tough seasons in the competition, Glanmire should be a force to be reckoned with this year.

Sean O'Regan, former coach of Tipperary Talons takes over as Head Coach and has signed Adriana Spears, a 6'1" post from Boston College to the squad.

Further recruits include junior internationals, Marie Breen (Mallow) and Patricia O'Sullivan (Carrigaline), along with UL's Deirdre Leahy and Wildcat's Helen McSweeney.

Aoife O'Dwyer returns to the team after a year with Tipperary Talons and Saragh Jane O'Connell returns from injury to captain the team.

The ESB Men's Superleague gets underway next weekend, following the re-launch of the National Governing Body to Basketball Ireland.