Conor Meany Talking Points: New season, new rule - teams must field two Irish players at all times

NEW SEASON: In the Men’s League, defending champions UCC Demons look like the consensus favourite. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

New season, up and down

Basketball is almost back, with defending champions UCC Demons kicking off the new season against their fiercest rivals Neptune, on Friday. This year’s Men’s Super League will have 12 teams (down from 13 last year) with just one team getting relegated at the end of the season. In the Women’s League there will be ten teams with one team due to be relegated. Both leagues will have a regular season winner, but the main league trophy will be available after an eight-team playoff in March. 80% of the teams qualifying for the playoffs in the women’s league is probably too many, although St Paul’s reached the final last year from the eighth seed which is the argument for maintaining the current format.