All stops pulled to tackle Tigers

Basketball: Previous results no longer matter as two Dublin clubs and the hosts, Blue Demons, attempt to stop Tralee Tigers from retaining their Superleague title this weekend.

First on the agenda tomorrow afternoon sees Northern Conference champions St Vincent's against the Demons. The fact that the finals are taking place in the Mardyke Arena automatically puts the favourites' tag on the Cork side.

Yet, similarities are evident between these two: both failed to hit optimum level in January's National Cup weekend. But both have gone on winning streaks since to prove they are keen to readdress the current balance.

"Yeah, we bounced back strong after the cup weekend by going undefeated in February," said Demons coach Pat Price. "It would be crazy to look past St Vincent's though as they have four different guys who average double figures per game. They are probably the most balanced side in the league."

Crucially, St Vincent's star turns Paul Tonkovich and Mike Trimmer disappointed on cup weekend but since then they have been outstanding. As the pressure comes on again how they cope will decide the first semi-final. Australian Damien Matacz, February's player of the month, will look to dominate for the Demons.

Later tomorrow evening, an ailing Killester will look to cause an upset and topple the double chasing Tigers.

The influence of Roscoe Patterson, Mícheál Quirke and John Teahan makes Tralee favourites to make Sunday's final.

Teahan and Roy Smallwood have recovered from injury, while Kerry football manager Jack O'Connor has released Quirke and Kieran Donaghy from National Football League duty this weekend.

The women's final takes place early on Sunday afternoon and is a re-run of the cup final, in which Killester beat UL Aughinish. However, the first defeat sustained by the Limerick club in two years was overturned the following week when they blitzed the Dublin club in the league.

UL will be hunting revenge so expect big performances from Michelle Aspell, Sinead Leahy and Jillian Ahearne to ensure a third successive league title.

SUPERLEAGUE FINALS

Venue: The Mardyke Arena, Cork. Saturday: Women's Division One final, Sligo All Stars v Killester, 12.0. Senior men's semi-final, St Vincent's v UCC Demons, 2.0. Men's Division One final, St Vincent's v Moycullen, 5.0. Senior men's semi-final, Tralee Tigers v Killester, 7.30. Sunday: Women's Superleague final, UL Aughinish, Killester, 1.30. Senior men's final, 3.30.