Waterford and Limerick out to avoid slip-ups

Basketball: Two midweek results have further shaken up the ESB Superleague leaders. Limerick, after drawing level at the top last weekend, were beaten by the Demons on Tuesday night while Waterford defeated Neptune 24 hours later to restore their possession of pole position.

So the unpredictable race for the title continues. With just five weekends left to play Waterford and Limerick remain the top contenders but neither can afford another slip up at this stage.

Waterford host Killarney on Sunday and should collect the points. The Kerry club have struggled since the New Year and have dropped to 10th in the league table. They do, however, have their eye on a top eight placing to qualify for the National Tournament, which they host in March.

Limerick must travel to Neptune tomorrow for a more demanding contest. Though still riddled with injuries, Neptune are always tough at their home venue yet for Limerick nothing other than a victory will suffice. BJ McFarland is an injury concern for the cup winners but the momentum remains on their side.

The women's league may well be decided tomorrow evening after the meeting of Tolka Rovers and the Wildcats. A win for the Wildcats, who hold the marginal advantage, would push them into the safety zone but should Tolka pick up the points the title contest would go down to the wire.

The Wildcats do have two previous victories over Tolka this season but are set to be without key players Catriona White and Jenny Cody. Tolka have problems too in that Molly Watson, Suzanne McGuire and Lorraine O'Brien are set to miss out. It promises to be close but home advantage may be enough to boost Tolka.

Meanwhile, Tommy Walsh of Limerick has been voted the men's player of the month for January, a result largely based on his captaining the club to the cup success. Niamh Mullally of the University of Limerick took the women's award for a similarly inspiring display in the cup finals.

FIXTURES

Men's Superleague: Tomorrow - UCD Marian v Notre Dame, UCD, 7.10; Neptune v Limerick, Neptune, 8.0; Tralee Tigers v Demons, Tralee SC, 7.45; Killester v Star of the Sea, IWA, 8.0; Sligo v Tyrone, Sligo SC, 7.30; Sunday - Killarney v Waterford, NEC, 3.0; St Vincent's v Tolka Rovers, Glasnevin, 3.30.

Women's league: Tomorrow - Tolka Rovers v Wildcats, Tolka, 5.30; University of Limerick v Meteors, Limerick, 7.0.