Notre Dame can close in

After moving into joint second of the men's ESB Superleague last weekend, Denny Notre Dame now get the chance to close down on leaders Neptune in the first game of their double-header weekend against Tolka Rovers this evening.

Two points here and a similar result against Sligo Dairies tomorrow would bring them level with Neptune - for at least 24 hours - before the current leaders take on Tolka Rovers on Sunday.

Notre Dame are also hopeful that their final appeal against the loss of the first game of the season with Star of the Sea will be accepted when the National Executive Committee (NEC) meet tomorrow. They were without three key players for that game - injured in a car crash on route to Belfast - and a favourable judgement would demand a replay and see Star drop two points and Notre Dame revert to just one defeat.

Neptune, meanwhile, are also confident that they can return to Cork from the meeting with Tolka Rovers with the two points necessary to confirm their position at the top of the table. They will be strengthened by the return of a fit Gordon Fitzgerald and the in-form Stephen McCarthy, who was outstanding in last Friday's win over Kerry Spring Killarney, although Ricardo Leonard is carrying a slight ankle injury.

Esat Telecom Demons, who also share the three-way tie for second spot with Star and Notre Dame, face Dungannon tomorrow. They will be without Stephen Hannigan who is still on crutches with an ankle injury while Timmy O'Halloran is doubtful because of a stomach bug.

Hibernian UCD Marian will make their live TV debut this evening (TG4, 9.0) in a crucial meeting with Burger King Limerick at the National Basketball Arena. The fully fit side will be eager to find a third win from nine starts which would bring them level with Limerick and give them some hope of a mid-table finish later in the season.

Elsewhere, Tolka Rovers are now well on course for their first women's Superleague title after the closest of victories over holders Avonmore Snowcream Wildcats last weekend. They host Meteors on Sunday and a win would see them move six points clear at the top.

Meanwhile, the Irish Basketball Association announced yesterday that they are currently searching for a new national coach of the senior men's side after a recent meeting of the NEC voted to replace Enda Byrt.

In his eight years as head coach, Byrt made considerable progress with the Irish team and they have been knocking on the door of the semi-finals of the European championship over the past few years. But the Committee felt a change was necessary to focus more attention on the linkage between the cadet, junior and senior programmes.

It is hoped the new coach will be found before the end of the year and well in advance of the pre-qualifier for the 2003 European championship which takes place in Copenhagen next May. Ireland, along with hosts Denmark, Georgia, Cyprus, Romania and Luxemburg, will compete for two spots in the semi-final stage which begins in November 2001.