Neptune poised to secure title

Eight weeks left to play, eight points clear at the top, and only a significant loss of form can deny Neptune the ESB Superleague title. Tomorrow they make the long trip up to Dungannon, currently fifth from the bottom, although there are probably more pressing challenges ahead before the Cork side can actually begin celebrating.

For a start, they have yet to meet three of their main chasing rivals, with away games to Denny Notre Dame and St Vincent's and a final home clash with Star of the Sea.

In the meantime, Star's visit to Kerry Spring Killarney tomorrow will at least split the three-way tie for second place. For Star, who also travel to the Clare Jets on Sunday, the big question is whether coach Darren O'Neill can rally his team into a final bid at defending their title.

"Well at this stage, I would have to say no," admits O'Neill, "although Neptune do have some tough games left." Including, perhaps crucially, that last game of the season against Star.

"I spoke to the team and made it clear that if Neptune do slip then we have to be in a position to take the advantage. So two points against Killarney and again in Clare is simply essential."

O'Neill also points to a number of reasons why the Star challenge hasn't quite materialised this year, not least of all the team's instability throughout the season. Tim Kennedy's move to Portugal was the most significant loss, and though Adrian Fulton returned after a temporary switch to soccer, it has taken him a while to settle into his game.

It is St Vincent's, in working their way up into joint second with their 104-92 win over Dublin rivals Denny Notre Dame last weekend, who now appear to have the greater momentum in the chase on the leaders.

On Sunday, they meet a similarly in-from Esat Telcom Demons, who begin their weekend with this evening's live TV game against Tolka Rovers (TG4, 9.0). St Vincent's also have the advantage of playing six of their remaining 10 games at home due to the problems with their Glasnevin gym early in the season. The Demons, currently joint third, may not have Shane Coughlan for both games - a victim of flu - and Mark Cambridge is also out.

The other main clash of interest is Notre Dame's meeting with Waterford Crystal tomorrow. Believed to be Neptune's biggest rivals before their loss of form over Christmas, Notre Dame - joint third with the Demons - still have one of the most talented squads in the league and also have a game in hand on the leaders. They can't be completely discounted even at this stage.

Tolka Rovers, meanwhile, are now all but certain of their first ever women's Superleague title. They travel to Meteors tomorrow night six points clear of their nearest rivals, Avonmore Snowcream Wildcats, and Tolka will have to lose at least four of their remaining games to give the Wildcats any hope of claiming a sixth consecutive title.

Still, the leaders will be missing two of their vital centre players, as Sharon Kelly and Denise Scally have temporarily returned to the US this week. Meteors had a cosy win over Killester in their last outing and a win here would move them into outright third position.

The Wildcats simply must win their home game with University of Limerick tomorrow. Unfortunately for them, Kate Maher will now be out for the rest of the season with a broken arm - a huge blow also to the Irish Junior team and their semi-final round of the European Championships in the spring.