Ballina can end it early

BASKETBALL: Ballina can secure the Northern Conference title this weekend even though two rounds remain in the regular season. Terry Kennedy's men will spend the weekend in Dublin, as they play Shamrock Rovers Hoops tomorrow in the National Arena and Killester in Greendale on Sunday afternoon.

Killester provide the main challenge in a remarkable turnaround for the Mayo club, considering they were not part of the Superleague two years ago. The north Dublin club's new Serbian signing, Aleksandra Lekic, is the main concern for Ballina.

"Having beaten us in the Arena in recent weeks, Hoops will be quite confident going into this game, while Killester are always extremely difficult to beat at home," said Kennedy. "They still have a chance of winning the conference and will be going all out for a win on Sunday. And Liam McHale (back injury) and Paul Barrett (abroad) are unavailable."

The Limerick Lions are sweating on the fitness of Jon Steven ahead of their weekend encounters, with the Tigers in Tralee tomorrow, followed by Sunday's visit of UCD Marian.

The club have struggled since the Cup final defeat to UCC Demons in January, and this week was no different as the fickleness of the Superleague import policy paid them a visit. After just two weeks in Limerick, American Quincy Moman returned home, to be replaced by University of Philadelphia's Brent Welton.

Two victories would tighten the gap on UCC Demons, especially if they struggle in tonight's Cork derby against Neptune in the Mardyke Arena.

The women's Superleague reaches its regular season conclusion tomorrow with the top four places for next weekend's quarter-final already secured. Mercy and Glanmire go head to head for the top spot in Greendale at 5.30pm with the Cork team's current form working against them.

FIXTURES: Men's Superleague: Tonight: Shamrock Rovers Hoops v UCD Marian, National Arena, 8.0; UCC Demons v Neptune, Mardyke Arena, 8.15. Saturday: St Vincent's v Star of the Sea, Greendale, 5.0; Tralee Tigers v Limerick Lions, Tralee SC, 8.0; Shamrock Rovers Hoops v Ballina, National Arena, 3.0. Sunday: Killester v Ballina, Greendale, 3.0. Women's Superleague: Saturday: Mercy v Glanmire, Greendale, 7.30; UL Aughinish v Wildcats, University Arena, 7.0.