BASKETBALL:Irish basketball returns to Nivea SuperLeague action this weekend following a thrilling cup semi-final round.
Losers in an epic Cork derby, UCC Demons will have to refocus quickly this weekend as they face a dangerous Killester outfit in Dublin tomorrow night.
After an uncertain start to their campaign, Killester have been the most improved team in the league since December following the signing of Michael Bonaparte.
Demons narrowly escaped from Dublin on their last trip when UCD Marian, without an American player, came within a single basket of defeating them. After losing to Cork rivals Bord Gais Neptune last week, Demons will need a significantly improved performance to beat Killester on their home court in Clontarf.
Following that Demons Killester match, it will be all eyes on Limerick and the table-toppers UL Eagles’ match-up with DCU Saints. The game is a rematch of the league final from last season and after picking up Conor Grace earlier this season, Saints have steadily improved following a dreadful start to 2012/13.
Not on top form
Despite winning their cup semi-final last weekend, Eagles have not been in top form recently. They have lost two of their last three league games and will be wary of Demons, who trail them by a single point but have a game in hand.
Elsewhere, a red-hot Bord Gais Neptune outfit, fresh from their stunning cup semi-final win over Demons, are back on their home court against Moycullen of Galway while in Belfield, UCD Marian play host to Dublin Inter.
In the Nivea Women’s SuperLeague there is an intriguing Cork derby match-up between Singleton SuperValu Brunell and Team Montenotte Hotel Cork. The latter have been the reigning number one’s in women’s basketball in Cork for the past decade but are being harried at every turn by a young and talented Brunell outfit.
A win on Sunday would be a major step for this Brunell team as the majority of their side are under 20 and would have spent many years in the stands watching the stars of Montenotte play.
Local derby
There is also a local derby in Dublin this weekend as Killester play host to neighbours DCU Mercy while across town Meteors welcome WIT Wildcats. Meanwhile, defending champions UL Huskies will be favourites to see off Liffey.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday – Men’s SuperLeague: Killester v UCC Demons, IWA Clontarf, 6pm; UCD Marian v Dublin Inter, UCD Sports Complex, 7.10; Bord Gais Neptune v Moycullen, Neptune Stadium, 7.30; UL Eagles v DCU Saints, UL Arena, 7.30. Women’s SuperLeague: UL Huskies v Liffey Celtics, UL Arena, 5pm; Meteors v WIT Wildcats, Colaiste Iosagain, 7pm; Killester v DCU Mercy, IWA Clontarf, 8pm.
Sunday – Women’s SuperLeague: Singleton SuperValu Brunell v Team Montenotte Hotel Cork, Parochial Hall Cork, 2.45.
