Race for play-offs hotting up

BASKETBALL:As we enter a new year the race for the Superleague play-off spots begins in earnest. Mathematically, any one of 11 clubs can still be crowned champions in 2007. But UCD Marian and the defending champions, St Vincent's, face a massive challenge to qualify from the northern conference.

It becomes an even bigger challenge if the leading three teams record victories over southern conference opposition in the coming days.

St Vincent's must get something out of their trip to Neptune Stadium tomorrow. They are seven points adrift of the league leaders, Shamrock Rovers Hoops, but their neighbours Killester are just three points ahead in third.

The Hoops' lead is put in context by the three extra games they played pre-Christmas.

In short, much like the southern conference, the competition is wide open.

Killester can put a serious dent in the aspirations of the Limerick Lions - last year's runners-up in both the league and cup.

Both clubs have brought in a new American recently.

Tim Jennings registered 30 points on his debut for the Lions, against St Paul's last Tuesday, but could not stave off a one-point defeat.

Killester coach Mark Keenan has replaced Josh Hinz with Bryce Burch, who played for Star of the Sea a few seasons back before spells in Australia and Germany.

Ballina host the Tralee Tigers, also tomorrow, but the clash of the Gaelic footballers is not on the agenda as Kieran Donaghy is absent along with the injured Rosco Patterson.

However, the player of the month for December, Ronan McGarrity, is available for the second-placed side. Ballina are two points off the Hoops with a game in hand.

Rovers go down to the Mardyke Arena on Sunday to face a remodelled UCC Demons squad after coach Pat Price released Ahmad Smith and Jamaal Wise in recent weeks.

"We have lots of work to do, but both LaShon Sheffield and Benito Flores are comfortable in their roles, and we should now have some better chemistry and consistency, which we hope will bring out the best in our local lads," said Price.

The other fixture has Belfast Star, fourth in the north, making the long trek to Killarney to face St Paul's.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Today: Woman's Superleague: DCU Mercy v Tolka Rovers, DCU University, 8.30.

Saturday: Men's Superleague: Killester v Limerick Lions, IWA, Clontarf, 8.0; Neptune v St Vincent's, Neptune Stadium, 8.0; Ballina v Tralee Tigers, Ballina, 8.0; St Paul's v Belfast Star, Presentation, Killarney, 8.15. Women's Superleague: UL Aughinish v Meteors, UL Arena, 7.0; Montenotte Cork v Wildcats, Little Island, 7.0.

Sunday: Men's Superleague: UCC Demons v Shamrock Rovers, Mardyke Arena, 3.15.