Many still jostling for position

With Killester now in the downhill phase of their successful ESB League title run, the focus moves to the horde of clubs lined up behind them.

Only four points separate the next seven teams and, for them, the final few weeks of the league still provides plenty of incentive.

Notre Dame have been the closest to the leaders for a number of weeks now, but tomorrow's live TV meeting with Star of the Sea will have a major bearing on who takes the runner-up spot (TG4, 5.0).

The Belfast club currently have a two-point advantage on Notre Dame with an extra game played, and a win here would give them a decisive hold on second place.

Anthony Jenkins is still an injury problem for Notre Dame, but it was Brandon Hughes who inspired them to a 24-point win over the Belfast club when they met earlier this year.

He continues to be their most consistent scorer and, with home advantage, Notre Dame have the chance of ending Star's five-game winning streak.

The Saints have been moving up and down the table with the greatest regularity and are currently placed sixth. But their meeting with Tralee should see them move upwards again as morale in Tralee remains low following the defeat by Limerick last weekend.

Also looking to regain a couple of places will be UCD Marian, who face a Limerick side currently on level pegging. UCD were comfortable winners in the meeting last November, but Limerick are back with a full squad this weekend following the return of Cleotis Brown.

He scored a remarkable 38 points in the win over Tralee last weekend and is likely to give them a narrow advantage this time out.

Killester host Killarney where another win should be a formality. Coach Mark Ingle is now in a position where his confidence can't get any greater.

With Killarney stuck at the other end of the table with just two wins from 21 games, no one is expecting anything less than two points for Killester.

With the women's league also decided, the Wildcats begin a victory tour tomorrow with a game against Killester. Elsewhere, the Meteors host the University of Limerick in the race to decide third place.