Brunell coach optimistic about Team Montenotte Hotel clash

The Hula Hoops Women's National Cup reaches the quarter-final stage this weekend with a local derby taking top billing in Cork. Singleton SuperValu Brunell's preliminary round win has earned them a last-eight tie with reigning champions Team Montenotte Hotel.

“It’s down to 40 minutes of basketball and anything can happen,” said Brunell coach Kieran O’Leary. “We’re not a big scoring team at the moment but if we keep them below the 70-point bracket, we’re in with a chance.”

Pyrobel Killester and DCU Mercy are two of the in-form teams in the Women's Premier League that meet for knockout basketball in Clontarf on Saturday.

Good test

Mercy coach

Mark Ingle

said: “We’re looking forward to that one. We didn’t play any defence in the last game against them so it should be a good test.”

Elsewhere, Courtyard Liffey Celtics host Meteors in Leixlip and it’s an all-Munster tie between UL Huskies and Maxol WIT Wildcats.

Round One of the Men’s National Cup concludes this weekend. The average margin is 20 points heading into the second leg with the winners to be decided on aggregate.

Court advantage

Belfast Star take a 12-point lead to Dublin to face a Pyrobel Killester with court advantage and

Paul Dick

returning from injury. “Being honest, I’m hopeful he isn’t back up to full speed,” said Star’s head coach Neal McCotter. “In my opinion when he is, he’s the best in the country.”

The margin is narrower still between SSE Airtricity Moycullen and unbeaten Templeogue.

"It's the first must-win game really we've had this season so it puts some extra pressure on us," said Templeogue's Conor Grace.