Ballincollig looking to push clear at the top as Star seek sweet revenge 

CHAPTER ONE: Ballincollig saw off Belfast Stars last week in Cup action. Pic: Basketball Ireland

Ballincollig are all too aware that doubling the dose on Belfast Star will be worth more than just sweet satisfaction on Saturday. There's clear daylight to be found at the summit of the Domino’s Men’s Super League

Belfast head coach Adrian Fulton says his side will “have to play much better” if they’re to gain revenge on the Cork side, following their recent Domino’s MSL National Cup exit at Ballincollig hands. 

This weekend sees a first versus second clash in the table with both teams on 8-2 records, ensuring the victors on Saturday will take the outright lead at the top.

Star have suffered two straight losses, the cup loss to Ballincollig preceding a league defeat to Killester last Saturday. Ballincollig, on the other hand have gone from strength-to-strength, after starting the season 0-2, they’ve won ten in a row in all competitions since.

“I think we have played the best three teams we have played all year over the last month," said Belfast coach Adrian Fulton. "We managed to squeeze past UCD at home, but lost a close game to a very good Ballincollig team at their place and then Killester outplayed us last Saturday. We will have to play much better than last weekend and also for a full 40 minutes. We only got going when we were down 20 two weeks ago.” 

Spearheaded by two new faces in the shape of Jordan Washington and Tamyrik Fields, defending champions UCC Demons picked up a second victory of the season last weekend over Sligo. This weekend they travel to Dublin and try to back up that victory when they take on St. Vincent’s. A win for Demons could potentially lift them above Limerick Celtics, depending on how results go.

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors have lost two of their last three, but a sixth win of the season this weekend could see Tralee back in the running for a strong playoff push. Third-placed Griffith College Éanna travel south to Tralee on Saturday and Warriors coach John Dowling is clear on what his side must do. 

 “It is a must-win game for us to stay in the hunt for the Super League playoffs," he said. "We need to be present and focus on the task in hand."

Limerick Celtics will be looking for an instant response after that home defeat to Éanna last weekend, when they also make the journey to the Kingdom to take on Flexachem KCYMS, who themselves suffered a big defeat to Ballincollig last weekend. A win for Celtics would draw them level with Killorglin, whilst Killorglin could make up some ground on the playoff-headed sides with a victory on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Killester head coach Mark Grennell says he is looking to “maintain some momentum”, as the Domino’s Women’s Super League leaders gear up to face SETU Waterford Wildcats on Saturday. The two sides met in the Domino’s WSL National Cup two weeks ago, with Killester advancing 95-75.

Despite the absence of Irish international Sarah Hickey, Wildcats have won their last two games by a combined 22 points. A victory on Saturday for Jillian Hayes’ team would be their sixth of the season and could potentially put them in the top three, pending other results.

“Obviously this weekend will be a little different for both teams than two weeks ago, in terms of what is at stake. But I am sure the quality of basketball will be as high as ever," Grennell said. "Waterford have been excellent coping without Sarah (Hickey) these past couple of weeks, which is a testament to how talented their players are and how well they are coached. For us, our bench has really stepped up the past two games to give us a shot in the arm at the right time of the season.”

Second-placed Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell will be hoping to close in on Killester, as they head to Kerry to take on a Utility Trust St. Paul’s Killarney, who seem to have hit a bump in the road with just one victory coming in their last four league games.

Another among the chasing pack is UCC Glanmire, who take on McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles on Sunday afternoon. Glanmire have won four of their last five games in the league, behind the continued strong form from Viane Cumber, who is averaging just short of 21 points a game.

“We are on a good run with a tough game against Cavan, ahead of a busy week with Brunell on the other end," UCC head coach Mark Scannell said. "We expect a very difficult game, but we are working very hard trying to get ourselves in the mix for the playoffs, prepare for the next game, stay injury free and see where it takes us.”

FloMAX Liffey Celtics appear to have found their form at just the right time, winning their last three league and cup games, after just one victory in their previous five. They will be hoping to make it four wins in a row this weekend, as they travel to Cork to face Catalyst Fr. Mathews on Saturday. Fr. Mathews are still searching for that elusive first win of the season, as they currently sit at 0-8 for the season.