McGarrity returns while UUJ begin SuperLeague stint

Reigning Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague champions DART Killester open the 2007/08 campaign with a trip to UCD Marian on Thursday night, while University of Ulster begin their stint in the top division on Sunday.

The clash is one of six SuperLeague Men’s games taking place over a bumper weekend of basketball across the country.

On Friday, Hoops entertain 2005 champions DCU Saints (St Vincents) at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.

The Saints will be looking to American duo Keenan Browder (6’4 Forward) and Peter Madsen (6’1 Guard) to unlock the Hoops. DCU will have to do 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.

Mustang Sally St Pauls entertain Neptune in one of the games of the opening weekend on Saturday in Killarney.

Pauls, who reached last season’s National Cup semi-final and league quarter final, will welcome back Irish American Matthew Hilleary into their ranks as a Bosman signing.

The 6’7 forward enjoyed an outstanding campaign last season and was widely regarded as one of the top Bosman players in the league. 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 Saturdays visit to Killarney. Debuts will be handed to Matt Gorman 6'9, a product of Syracuse University, 6’4 Michael De Corso from New York University and 6’6 Bosman Pat Fitzpatrick. The Cork outfit also welcome back Ger Noonan fron Killarney Lakers and will be expecting a big performance from experienced players like Kieran O’Brien and veteran Gordon Fitzgerald.

Merry Monk Ballina have received a massive boost ahead of their opener with Limerick Lions on Saturday with the return of Ronan McGarrity. The Mayo football star missed the second half of Ballina’s SuperLeague campaign last season with a cancer related illness.

However, he is now back in the squad a week after leading Ballina Stephenites to the county title last week.

Meanwhile, the club have signed former Irish international Shane O’Mara, while Pete Strobl, Lawrence Summers and Kenny Izzo have all signed on a Bosman.

Limerick Lions travel to Mayo with a nice blend of youth and experience. There is a solid base of local Limerick players including Neil Campbell, Stephen King, Rob Lynch, Aidan Holden and Aidan O’Brien. The Irish base is further complemented with players at UL including Paul O’Sullivan and Mike Dowd.

Abrakebabra Tigers face UCC Demons in an all Munster clash at the Tralee Sports Complex. Demons make the trip with new boys Terence Todd and Levi Levine while the hosts are being forced to play just one of their American due to a disciplinary issue.

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

Jordonstown is the scene on Sunday for a mouth-watering Ulster derby clash between league Newcomers University of Ulster and Belfast Star.

UUJ are the first and only University side to play at this level in the UK and Ireland. With the support of the UU Sports Academy Board, international scholarship athletes Bryan Nieman (formerly NC State University) and Adrian Gross (formerly Coastal Carolina University) will lead UU Basketball and UU Sport into a new and exciting era.

Belfast Star are on the back of a successful pre-season campaign and will be hoping the power of American duo Bobby Kelly and Nick Michael will be enough to record an opening weekend win.

Meanwhile, in the Women’s SuperLeague, Team Montenotte Hotel Cork will be looking to make it a perfect start to the season with their third win of the campaign against DART Killester on Saturday night.

Tolka Rovers travel to UL Aughinish in hope after suffering two defeats at the National Basketball Arena last weekend. Waterford Wildcats will be in confident mood after suffering defeat to Team Montenotte by the slightest of margins last weekend and face a Meteors side looking for their second win of the season.