Killester keen to keep momentum for title

BASKETBALL:KILLESTER HEAD coach Mark Keenan is delighted with the way his side have responded since their surprise National Cup final loss and will be looking to continue that recovery against UL Eagles in the latest series of Nivea For Men's SuperLeague games.

The Dubliners have bounced back from the loss to UCD Marian to secure back-to-back wins in the league and will be looking to make that a third consecutive success against Southern Conference leaders UL Eagles.

Killester have already inflicted cup and league defeats on UL and face a Limerick side reeling after an unexpected loss to UCC Demons midweek.

“I have been very happy with what has happened in the last two weeks particularly after the disappointment of the cup final,” said Keenan. “The performances in the last couple of weeks have made a big statement. The lads want to make amends for what happened, and the only way for us to do that is to go on and win the league.

“I think that we will learn from the cup defeat and be stronger as a result,” added Keenan. “We know Limerick will be keen to take our scalp in their backyard. After beating them in the cup especially, I know they will be up for the game”

Elsewhere, Ulster Elks, who could be without star shooter Kevin Foley, face a double header against UCC Demons and DCU Saints respectively, while UCD Marian will be hoping home advantage will tell against fellow play-off chasers Bord Gáis Neptune.

Belfast Star will be without Neal McCotter and Michael McKillop for their must-win game away to Moycullen.

In the IrishSport.TV Women’s SuperLeague, UL will be looking for their seventh consecutive league win away to Waterford Wildcats, DCU Mercy make the short trek to 11890 Killester and Meteors make the difficult trip to Team Montenotte Hotel Cork.

Montenotte are on the back of three defeats and are likely to be without the injured Marie Breen until the Play-Off stages in March.

FIXTURES: Saturday: Men's SuperLeague: Ulster Elks (Belfast) v UCC Demons (Cork), UUJ Sports Centre, Sports Hall 1, 2pm; UCD Marian (Dublin) v Bord Gais Neptune (Cork), UCD Sports Centre, 7pm; UL Eagles (Limerick) v 11890 Killester (Dublin), UL Arena, 7.30; Moycullen (Galway) v Belfast Star (Belfast), Kingfisher Club NUIG, 8pm. Women's SuperLeague: Team Montonette Hotel Cork (Cork) v Meteors (Dublin), Neptune Stadium, 4.45; 11890 Killester (Dublin) v DCU Mercy (Dublin), IWA Clontarf, 6pm; Waterford Wildcats (Waterford) v UL (Limerick), Mercy Secondary School, 6pm. Men's Division One: Neptune (Cork) v Team Loftus Recycling Ballina (Mayo), Neptune Stadium, 7pm; Team Garvey St.Mary's (Castleisland, Kerry) v Titans (Galway), Castleisland Community Centre, 7.45; Maree (Galway) v Team Meadowlands St Brendan's (Tralee, Kerry), Calasanctius College, Oranmore, 7.45; Portlaoise (Laois) v Tolka Rovers (Dublin), St Mary's Sports Hall, 8pm. Women's Division One: Foireann na Gaillimhe (Galway) v Meteors (Dublin), Calasanctius College, Oranmore, 3pm; Team Tom McCarthy's St Mary's (Castleisland, Kerry) v UL (Limerick), Castleisland Community Centre, 6pm.

SUNDAY: Men's SuperLeague:Ulster Elks (Belfast) v DCU Saints (Dublin), University of Ulster HPC, 2.30. Mens Division One: CHM Ballon (Dublin) v Waterford (Waterford), Palmerstown Sports Complex, 3.30; Portlaoise (Laois) v Neptune (Cork), St Mary's Sports Hall, 3.30. Women's Division One: Meteors (Dublin) v Foireann na Gaillimhe (Galway), Coláiste Eoin/Iosagáin, 3.0; Liffey Celtics (Dublin) v Thurles Knights (Tipperary), Leixlip Amenities Centre, 3pm.