Basketball: Neptune target cup revenge against Belfast Star as league leaders Limerick Celtics host UCC Demons

Champions Ballincollig host struggling St Vincent's across a busy weekend of Super League action

Sam Smith, Neptune, and Elijah Tillman, UCC Demons, battle for the ball at tip-off in the recent Super League derby. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Ballincollig v St Vincent’s, MTU Arena, 4pm.  

Reigning Domino’s Men’s Super League champions Ballincollig boast a 3-3 record coming into round seven, while their opponents St Vincent’s are yet to get off the mark, going 0-6 this season.

Ballincollig enter this round of fixtures off the back of a narrow two-point victory against UCD Marian in the Domino’s MSL National Cup. Adrian O’Sullivan stepped up for the home side in the second half, securing 16 points and knocking down the two free throws to win 71-69. 

Ballincollig's Adrian O'Sullivan takes on UCD Marian's Tanner Graham. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

O’Sullivan leads Ballincollig in points for the season, as Alex Bellver continues to impress with six double-doubles for the season.

Energywise Ireland Neptune v Belfast Star, Neptune Stadium, 6.30pm.  

Energywise Ireland Neptune were eliminated from the Domino’s MSL National Cup at the hands of Belfast Star last weekend, where the Ulster side came away 88-84 winners. 

Neptune produced a huge 27-point first quarter, but Belfast Star kept close with 24 points before outscoring the hosts 21-13 in the third quarter. Neptune went 73-70 ahead with six minutes to go; however, four missed free throws from six gave Star the edge.

Neptune sit five places behind Belfast Star in the Domino’s Men’s Super League, holding eighth position with a 3-3 record. 

The Cork team had a rough 0-2 start but flipped that around to go 3-1 in recent weeks, including two huge Cork derby wins over Ballincollig and UCC Demons. 

Shane Bell and Jordan Green have been averaging 22.2 and 19 points per game for Belfast, while Irish international Rapolas Buivydas has clocked up 109 points for the season.

Griffith College Éanna v UCD Marian, Coláiste Éanna, 7pm. 

Griffith College Éanna sit only one place from the bottom of the Super League, with a 2-4 record. Morgan Taylor has been the standout scorer for Éanna with 115 for the season, even clocking up a 29-point game in their most recent outing. 

UCD Marian fell short to Ballincollig last weekend as they were eliminated from the Domino’s MSL National Cup; however, the Dublin side won their most recent league outing against an in-form Limerick Eagles team.

Limerick Celtics v UCC Demons, Crescent College, 7pm. 

Limerick Celtics took top spot in the Domino’s Men’s Super League after their conclusive win over Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in round six, overtaking their rivals Limerick Eagles. 

Danny O'Mahony is back coaching UCC Demons. Picture: Larry Cummins

UCC Demons enter round seven in fourth position and with Danny O’Mahony back at the helm following the departure of Stuart Rodgers. Demons have won their last two games on the bounce, including a decisive Cork derby win over Ballincollig. 

Limerick Celtics’ Tiras Morton, won the Domino’s Men’s Super League October Player of the Month, leading the league in rebounds (73), assists (37) and steals (23). 

Limerick Eagles v Killester, St Munchin’s College, 7pm.  

Limerick Eagles started their Domino’s MSL National Cup campaign with a bang, beating six-time winners Killester in Clontarf. 

Eagles enter round seven in second position, following their round six defeat to UCD Marian.  

EJ Sligo All-Stars v Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, Saturday, Mercy College, 7.30pm.  

Only one position separates EJ Sligo All-Stars and Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, with Sligo in 10th and Tralee in ninth. EJ Sligo All-Stars stunned Belfast Star with a 99-93 win at Newforge Sports Complex in round six. 

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors have secured three wins from six so far, beating Energywise Ireland Neptune, Killester and Belfast Star in the opening weeks. 

FRIDAY:

Men’s Division 2: Arcadia Athlone v Dublin Raiders, 8.30pm, Our Lady’s Bower.

SATURDAY:

Domino’s Men’s Super League: Ballincollig v St Vincent’s, 4pm, MTU Arena; Energywise Ireland Neptune, 6.30pm, Neptune Stadium; Griffith College Éanna v UCD Marian, 7pm, Coláiste Éanna; Limerick Celtics v UCC Demons, Crescent College, 7pm; Limerick Eagles v Killester, 7pm, St Munchin’s College;  EJ Sligo All-Stars v Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, 7.30pm, Mercy College.  

Domino’s Men’s Division 1: Dublin Lions v Drogheda Wolves, 5.30pm, Coláiste Bríde; Moy Tolka Rovers v Carrick Cruisers, 2pm, Tolka Rovers Sports Complex; Templeogue v Ulster University, 7pm, TUD Tallaght; Maigh Cuilinn v SPK Utility Trust Lakers, 7pm, Kinfisher Sports Centre; Maree v Tipp Talons, 7pm, Calasanctius College; Bowes Auto Centre Portlaoise Panthers v Flexachem KCYMS, 7pm, St Mary’s Hall; Titans v Malahide, 7pm, Ballinfoile Community Centre. 

Men’s Division 2: Affinity Institute Cavan Eagles v Team North West, 5.45pm, Virginia Show Centre Hermitage Clinic; Ongar Chasers v Fr Mathews, 7.30pm, Hansfield ETSS

SUNDAY:

Men’s Division 2: Trinity College v Ballina Braves, 2pm, Tolka Rovers Sports Complex.