Sealy boost for Killester

BASKETBALL/Weekend previews:This is the penultimate weekend of the regular Superleague season and nearly every team retains an interest in the title.

For Shamrock Rovers Hoops to win the Northern Conference they require Killester to lose their three remaining games, while the meeting of Star and Ballina in Jordanstown tomorrow should provide a clearer indication of who will travel to Limerick for the finals weekend.

Killester's chances of overcoming defending champions St Vincent's this Sunday have been boosted by the return of Damien Sealy from injury.

"Damien has missed the last two games due to pressure of business while John Quigley also missed the win against UCD Marian," said coach Mark Keenan.

"It is a crucial game for us and one that we really must win. We were excellent against them at our place and awful in their place. The winning of the conference is in our own hands" added Keenan.

However, Keenan will have to do without Keith Anderson who will be involved in Irish international training - a bizarre development considering the Superleague is reaching such an important juncture - while Johnny Grennell is nursing a slight hamstring tightness.

Tonight sees the leaders of the Southern Conference, the Tralee Tigers, aiming to end their losing run against local rivals St Paul's.

The Tigers will be looking to secure some breathing space after the UCC Demons drew level at the top of the conference last weekend.

The Demons have played an extra game but after losing every single game in February, the Tigers will need to regain their Cup form to secure the double. The hangover after the Cup victory on January 28th appears to have hindered their February form. That and the loss of Kieran Donaghy and Micheál Quirke to Kerry football.

St Paul's will be looking to consolidate third position but they may have to contend with Donaghy as the football star can return to basketball while suspended from Gaelic football action.

The Limerick Lions are currently level on points with St Paul's and will be hoping that Tigers do them a favour tonight.

FIXTURES: Today: Men's Superleague: Tralee Tigers v St Paul's, Tralee SC, 8.0, Neptune v Limerick Lions, Neptune Stadium, 8.30. Tomorrow: Men's Superleague: Belfast Star v Ballina, Jordanstown, 7.15, UCD Marian v St Vincent's, UCD Sports Centre, 7.0. Women's Superleague: Tolka Rovers v Glanmire, Tolka Rovers Sports Complex, 6.15, Killester v UL Aughinish, Oblate Hall, 6.0. Sunday: Men's Superleague: St Vincent's v Killester, St Vincent's CBS, 13.30, UCC Demons v St Paul's, Mardyke Arena, 3.15, Tralee Tigers v Neptune, Tralee SC, 3.0. Women's Superleague: DCU Mercy v Meteors, DCU, 3.30, Tolka Rovers v Wildcats, Tolka Rovers Sports Complex, 4.0.