BASKETBALL NATIONAL CUP:WITH THE National Cup competition returning this weekend, the Men's Super League Cup holders UCD Marian are set for a difficult quarter-final clash away to UL Eagles.
Marian claimed their first National Cup title last January in dramatic circumstances when they staged a comeback to beat favourites 11890 Killester 60-57.
However, their league form has been inconsistent, with four wins and five defeats resulting in a third-place position in the Northern Conference.
“The key in the cup is to have home advantage so the onus is on Limerick to capitalise on that,” said UCD Marian coach Fran Ryan. “Dan James’ absence through injury is something we have now adjusted to and everyone has stepped up excellently.”
Marian won’t have too much of a chance to rest whatever the outcome tomorrow as they have a league tie with Killester less than 24 hours later. “Our only focus will be Saturday’s game and if we reach 90 per cent of our potential I’d expect to win both,” added Ryan.
Killester host Moycullen, while Cork duo Bord Gáis Neptune and UCC Demons face Belfast Star and DCU Saints respectively.
“We are still finding our feet as we have had a number of injuries since the start of the season so the full squad hasn’t been tested yet, but we have had two weeks now of a relatively full squad so hopefully it will come good on the day,” said UCC Demons coach Paul Kelleher.
DCU Mercy begin the defence of their Women’s SuperLeague National Cup crown when they make a potentially tricky trip to Waterford Wildcats on Sunday.
The Dubliners are second in the league (seven wins from eight), but coach Mark Ingle admits it is only in recent weeks his side have shown the form that earned them their cup triumph last January.
“We are better than we were four weeks ago,” said Ingle. “We were winning earlier in the season without being great. Our defence has really improved. This is a tough fixture. Wildcats ran UL and Team Montenotte Hotel close this season. They have been building for the last few seasons and there is a big result in them.”
League leaders UL begin their campaign at home to Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell, while Killester take on Ulster Rockets. Cork giants Team Montenotte Hotel travel to Dublin to face Meteors.
FIXTURES– Saturday – Men's SuperLeague National Cup quarter-finals: Belfast Star v Bord Gáis Neptune, Andersonstown Leisure Centre, 7.15pm; UL Eagles v UCD Marian, UL Arena, 7.30pm; 11890 Killester v Moycullen, IWA, 8pm.
Women's SuperLeague National Cup quarter-finals:11890 Killester v Ulster Rockets, IWA, 6pm.
Sunday – Men’s SuperLeague: UCD Marian v 11890 Killester, Greendale, 3pm. Men’s National Cup quarter-finals: UCC Demons v DCU Saints, Mardyke Arena, 3.15pm. Women’s National Cup quarter-finals: Waterford Wildcats v DCU Mercy, Mercy Sports Hall, 3.30pm; Meteors v Team Montenotte Hotel, Coláiste Íosagáin, 3pm; UL v Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell, UL Arena, 3.30pm.
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