Men's Super League preview: Belfast Star hoping third time the charm against Ballincollig

Elsewhere, the fight against relegation also goes down to the final weekend, Flexachem KCYMS travel to UL Arena to take on Limerick Celtics, after suffering a heart-wrenching midweek defeat to Tralee Warriors

EYES ON PRIZE: Belfast Star's Shane Bell goes for the lay up. Pic: Larry Cummins

It is winner takes all in the MTU Arena on Saturday in the Domino’s Men’s Super League when Ballincollig host Belfast Star, with the victor claiming top spot at the end of the regular season, before the teams head into the playoffs. 

Star lost their advantage at the summit after falling to defeat last weekend against Killester and could even fall outside the top-two if they slip up once more and Killester overcome Ej Sligo All-Stars, as Killester hold a head-to-head advantage over Star.

Star head coach Adrian Fulton hopes Irish international Rapolas Buivydas will be fit to return this weekend and speaking ahead of this weekend, he stated: “Wouldn’t it be great if this game in a packed MTU decided the Super League champions? We absolutely would have taken this at the start of the season. 

"Ballincollig have had a great season and we are very much looking forward to the challenge. We have played out two really exciting games against Ballincollig this season already, but hoping that three times is the charm and that we can come out on the right side of this one.” 

For Ballincollig, last weekend’s win over Killorglin displayed the resilience in the side, fending off several comeback attempts to secure the victory. Player/Coach Ciaran O’Sullivan is excited for the challenge ahead. “With the regular season winding down, the playoffs coming around the corner, every team is going all out to climb the table and find their rhythm. After two massive battles against Star already this year, we are expecting the same high-intensity again. 

"Both teams really seem to bring out the best in each other, which is exactly the kind of challenge you want to ensure you are battle-tested for a playoff quarter-final”.

Elsewhere, the fight against relegation also goes down to the final weekend, Flexachem KCYMS travel to UL Arena to take on Limerick Celtics, after suffering a heart-wrenching 91-90 midweek defeat to Tralee Warriors. Killorglin now have one game less than Neptune left to play, however Neptune’s game in hand, against Griffith College Éanna, will commence with them down 22-4, which was the scoreline when play was stopped in the original fixture.

Should Killorglin slip to defeat against Limerick Celtics on Saturday, Neptune need one win from their final two games to ensure survival, first up is a home tie against UCD Marian on Saturday. The Dublin club by contrast are looking to secure a fifth-place finish if they secure a win and Tralee Warriors lose this weekend at Griffith College Éanna.

Warriors can still seal a fifth place finish this weekend with a win at Éanna. Should the table remain a three-way tie between Marian, Warriors and Vincent’s, Warriors will hold the head-to-head advantage, having won all four of their games against the other two sides combined. Éanna’s fourth-place finish and a home court playoff quarter-final is already locked in, having a two-win cushion on the sides below.

Seventh-placed St. Vincent’s could be making moves either up or down the table, they travel to the Mardyke Arena to play dethroned defending champions UCC Demons. Should Marian and Warriors lose this weekend, a win for Vincent’s would see them go fifth. However, a loss at Demons could see them fall to eighth, should Limerick Celtics triumph over Killorglin.

EJ Sligo All-Stars are playing to ensure a ninth place finish ahead of defending champions UCC Demons. 

The final playoff spot, currently occupied by Limerick Celtics, can’t be taken by the All-Stars due to Celtics having the luxury of the head-to-head advantage should both sides end the season on the same amount of wins. Celtics could finish as high as seventh, should results elsewhere result in a four-way tie between Celtics, Marian, Vincent’s and Warriors.