An InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup final rematch between University of Galway Maree and DBS Éanna immediately catches the eye when reviewing this weekend’s InsureMyVan.ie Super League fixtures.
With just five games remaining in the regular season, neither will want to lose momentum, but the 74-69 success of Charlie Crowley’s charges last month adds additional spice to proceedings. The Dubliners ended a run of back-to-back defeats last time out against Bright St.Vincents and head coach Darren McGovern knows a road win of this significance could give a big psychological boost to his team, while banishing any lingering demons. They’ll have to throw some new defensive looks at University of Galway Maree point-guard Jarett Haines, the American went off for 35 points at the National Basketball Arena.
Conference North leaders Belfast Star made a winning start to life without the injured Max Cooper against UCD Marian but face an altogether different task when Emporium Cork Basketball come to town. Max Richardson stepped up in Cooper’s absence, netting 33 points to extend their record to 11-3 and maintain pole position for top seeding. Ciaran O’Sullivan’s side’s playoff position in the Southern Conference is more precarious. They’ve won three of their last four, but a gruelling schedule in the final five weeks that includes both cup finalists along with playoff chasing pair EJ Sligo All-Stars and Killester means nothing is guaranteed when it comes to post-season play for the Cork side.
It's an incredible week of cross conference matchups and the meeting of Killester and UCC Demons pits Ireland’s second ranked offense and third ranked defence against one another. MJ Randolph has been exemplary in UCC Demons six game unbeaten streak following a shock defeat to Moycullen in December. Another 34 points in a win against Energywise Ireland Neptune cemented him as one of the premier scoring threats in the country, leaving a stingy Killester defence with their work cut out to curtail his influence. Brian O’Malley’s Killester can put up big scores too, as their 90-point haul against Griffith College Templeogue will attest. Paul Dick continues to have a standout season in leading the way and another win here could cement their place in the playoffs.
Elsewhere, two teams on the post season bubble clash on Saturday night in Kerry when Garvey’s Tralee Warriors entertain EJ Sligo All-Stars. John Dowling’s Warriors will need a flawless end to the campaign if they’re going to continue their title defence into April, while Shane O’Meara wants to make to two promoted sides in the end of season playoffs in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League. Energywise Ireland Neptune aim to bounce back from a tough loss when they travel to face UCD Marian, Flexachem KCYMS host Griffith College Templeogue and Bright St.Vincent’s travel to Galway to face Moycullen.
The Address UCC Glanmire took a big step towards retaining their MissQuote.ie Super League title with a win against Trinity Meteors and they can land another major blow if they can complete a season sweep against Singleton SuperValu Brunell on Sunday.
The reverse fixture in October finished 95-81 in favour of Mark Scannell’s side, with both teams on different trajectories in the aftermath. Singleton SuperValu Brunell have just a solitary win against University of Galway Mystics in that time, the major caveat being the inexperience of the team outside of Ireland captain Edel Thornton. Thornton is one of 12 players across the league returning from international duty, a fact that will create a quandary for her head coach as she usually plays extensive minutes for her club. Brittany Byrd has been the name on many lips, but The Address UCC Glanmire have developed a very balanced scoring attack, continuing to be comfortably the best offense in the league.
Trinity Meteors could draw level in the win column 24 hours earlier when they welcome Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics to Colaiste Iosagain in an interesting stylistics clash. Trinity Meteors are very effective with a more methodical and experienced approach offensively, while Karl Kilbride’s team live and die by the three-point shot at times but are very high energy on both ends of the floor. They will be the most impacted team in the league by Ireland’s midweek exploits in Prague. Áine O’Connor, Sorcha Tiernan and Ciara Bracken will all have just 48 hours to recover in a game they’ll be expected to have a major influence on. Claire Melia is in a similar predicament, but head coach Niall Berry will be looking for more of the same from American centre Celena Taborn. The former Butler star has found her feet well and presents a matchup challenge for a lot of MissQuote.ie Super League teams.
It's 4th against 5th in Waterford as the hometown Wildcats entertain Killester. Each team is somewhat in limbo with Killester still basking in the glow of their InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup win and at 7-6, both look to be safe in the Champions Trophy hunt, with the only permutation whether they can overhaul DCU Mercy in third place and even that particular ship may sail this weekend if Mark Ingle’s team can overcome Ulster University. Karli Seay has been excelling in Tommy O’Mahony’s offense, averaging over 20 points per game and forming a powerful rebounding tandem with Irish international Sarah Hickey. Mark Grennell will need his Killester team to bring all the energy that crowned them cup champions last month if they’re to leave the gym in Waterford with a positive result.
The aforementioned meeting of DCU Mercy and Ulster University would look like a mismatch if it took place before Christmas, but the Northern side have won three of their last four and are making a late push for the 6th spot and a place in the Champions Trophy. All five starters got into double digits in a win against Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics in their last game and the addition of Emily Maupin looks a shrewd one. At 8-4 DCU Mercy are in a very similar position to Waterford Wildcats and Killester but have slightly more wiggle room to secure a third-placed finish with a game in hand. The mid-season addition of Amelia Motz and strong, recent three-point shooting from Lindsey Abed make them a tough out for anyone in the MissQuote.ie Super League.
I3PT Fr.Mathews currently occupy the much coveted 6th spot ahead of their trip to face University of Galway Mystics. Niamh Dwyer’s i3PT Fr. Mathews have struggled for consistency at times, highlighted by the fact they haven’t won two games in succession this season. Her opposite number Paul O’Brien is having a very challenging season trying to navigate a top flight season with an incredibly young, but talented squad. University of Galway Mystics will be going all guns blazing on home court to double their win tally and keep laying the foundations for future success with their current group.
Fixtures
InsureMyVan.ie Super League
Saturday, February 11th
1830|Belfast Star v Emporium Cork Basketball, De La Salle College
1900|Killester v UCC Demons, IWA Clontarf
1900|UCD Marian v Energywise Ireland Neptune, UCD Sports Centre
1900|University of Galway Maree v DBS Éanna, Kingfisher Gym
1915|Flexachem KCYMS v Griffith College Templeogue, Killorglin Sports Complex
1930|Garvey’s Tralee Warriors v EJ Sligo All-Stars, Tralee Sports Complex
Sunday, February 12th
1500|Moycullen v Bright. St. Vincents, Kingfisher Gym
InsureMyVan.ie Division 1
Saturday, February 11th
1700|Ulster University v SETU Waterford Vikings, Jordanstown Sports Village
1900|Limerick Celtics v Portlaoise Panthers, Crescent College Dooradoyle
1900|Malahide v Limerick Sport Eagles, Malahide CS
1915|Killarney Cougars v Abbey Seals Dublin Lions, Presentation Gym
1930|Drogheda Wolves v Scotts Lakers SPK
Sunday, February 12th
1530|Moy Tolka Rovers v Dwyers of Cork Fr.Mathews, Tolka Rovers SC
1530|SETU Carlow v Team North West, Barrow Centre
MissQuote.ie Super League
Saturday, February 11th
1530|University of Galway Mystics v i3PT Fr.Mathews, Kingfisher Gym
1730|Trinity Meteors v Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics, Colaiste Iosagain
1800|Waterford Wildcats v Killester, Mercy Secondary School
1915|Ulster University v DCU Mercy, Jordanstown Sports Village
Sunday, February 12th
1445|Singleton SuperValu Brunell v The Address UCC Glanmire, Parochial Hall
MissQuote.ie Division 1
Saturday, February 11th
1600|Phoenix Rockets v Oblate Dynamos, Lisburn Racquets
1730|Swords Thunder v Moy Tolka Rovers, ALSAA
1915|Abbey Seals Dublin Lions v McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles, Colaiste Bride
1930|St. Pauls Killarney v Marble City Hawks, Aura Leisure Centre
Sunday, February 12th
1230|SETU Carlow v Griffith College Templeogue, Barrow Centre
1500|Portlaoise Panthers v Limerick Sport Huskies, St. Mary’s Hall, Portlaoise
