Killester-Glanmire has a tasty look about it

INTRIGUING CLASH: Team coach Mark Scannell speaking to the team during a timeout for UCC Glanmire vs Catalyst Fr Mathews in the Domino's Women's National Cup Basketball game at Fr Mathews Arena, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

IT may well prove the most intriguing semi-final of Cup weekend in Cork - the women's last four duel between Superleague leaders Killester and hometown Cup specialists UCC Glanmire. Stir into the equation Killester's loss last week to fellow semi-finalists FloMAX Liffey Celtics and the injury doubt to Samantha Haiby and we've got a Saturday evening doozie in store (Neptune Stadium, 4pm)

Killester head coach Mark Grennell knows facing Glanmire in Leeside is an interesting gut check for his squad: “Glanmire are excellent and will obviously be well prepared to face us. It’ll be tough playing them in Cork. Knockout basketball always throws up some fun games. Should be a fantastic matchup”.

For Glanmire, Mark Scannell seems to have timed his side's form well, even if last week's blowout loss to Cork rivals Brunell (97-72) was not in the script. A case of eye off the ball? Scannell will hope so and point to their previous run of four wins on the bounce. “We are confident that we can compete with a very strong Killester team who know how to win and have been together for a while now”, Scannell said.

Earlier on Saturday (1.30), defending champions FloMAX Liffey Celtics and their head coach Hilary Netsiyanwa will take on his former side Trinity Meteors. “This game carries context of course, but it doesn’t carry sentiment for me. My focus is on the players I’m on this journey with. Meteors are a well-coached, organised familiar team and we’re preparing for the game in front of us. Our focus is on our habits, our execution and doing the simple things well. The occasion doesn’t change our work.”, Netsiyanwa stated.

Liffey Celtics are in resurgent form as of late, having started the season 0-4 they’ve won their last five league and cup games, hitting form at the perfect time to defend their WSL National Cup crown. For Meteors, it is the opportunity to finally win a cup that has eluded them since 1998. Led by Irish international Hazel Finn, Trinity have found themselves in a slight slump, winning just one of their last four.

Trinity Meteors head coach Seamas Donnelly said: “Liffey are the cup holders and with the arrival of Destinee (Bursch) are a nicely balanced team. Hillary and the coaching team have them playing exciting, fast-paced basketball - it should be a great game.”

Elsewhere, the WheelChair National Cup semi-final between Rebel Wheelers and Clonaslee is the opening game at MTU Arena on Saturday (10am), as Adam Drummond's Cork side chase a seventh Cup title in a row. It's the same tip off time and same venue for the semi-final between Titans and South East Swifts WCB on Sunday.

Saturday's action at MTU Arena continues with back-to-back U18 Men's Billy Coffey National Cup with St. Brendan's Tralee facing Portlaoise Panthers at 12.30, followed at 3pm by Dublin Lions versus Oblate BC.

In the U20 Men's Cup Neptune face Portlaoise Panthers at 11am at Neptune Stadium on Sunday, while it's Titans against Éanna at 12.15 on the same day at MTU Arena.

The NICC Women's National Cup start proceedings at 11am on Saturday at Neptune Stadium, as St. Mary's Castleisland face Liffey Celtics, the Kildare outfit are chasing a third title in four years, having lost out in the final last season. Fr. Mathews take on Killester in the second semi-final at Parochial Hall on Saturday at 12.30.

Saturday's action at Parochial Hall begins with the NICC Men's National Cup, as Ongar Chasers come up against Killester at 10am. The second semi-final is on Sunday, with Phoenix Belfast facing Neptune at 1.30pm at Neptune Stadium.