Meeting between Ireland's form teams headlines Domino's MSL National Cup quarter-final ties

It’s quarter-finals weekend in the Domino’s MSL National Cup and a meeting between the top two in the Domino’s Men’s Super League standings, Belfast Star and Ballincollig BC headlines an exciting four game slate.

League leaders Belfast Star have bounced back well in recent weeks following a surprise defeat to St. Vincent’s, but their recent National Cup record has left a lot to be desired. Star haven’t made it past the last eight in more than five years and were dumped out of the cup at the first hurdle a year ago.

Finalists two seasons ago, Ballincollig also exited at the first attempt last season, but their form since their 0-2 start to the season has been incredible. Eight consecutive wins in league and cup, averaging 94 points-per-game and a  2-1 record in ‘one score’ games this season. That kind of grittiness is usually a bonus in knockout basketball.

Latavious Mitchell, Lattrell Jossell and Josh Steel might be the best trio in Irish basketball, but Belfast Star’s depth has to be the envy of the league. Six players – Aidan Quinn, Conor Quinn, Rapolas Buivydas, RJ Wilson, Shane Bell and Max Richardson are averaging double-digits per game, while their bench has been coming up with big moments too. The first meeting between these sides this season is set to be a cracker.

Banishers of defending champions UCC Demons in the previous round, Limerick Celtics aim to extend their maiden run in this competition beyond Christmas, when they take on a confident St. Vincent’s BC in Crescent College.  

“St. Vincent’s are having a super season,” said Celtics head coach Tony Hehir ahead of the showdown. “It’s a huge week of preparation for us to ensure that we’re ready for a massive game for this club on Saturday night.”

It’s been a difficult period for Limerick since that giant-killing performance at the start of October. They’ve secured just one more win in the last month and that came against the same opponents two weeks ago. A bright spark though is the continued scoring prowess of AJ Williams and Abdul Wurie, with Wurie averaging just under 18 and Williams just over 22 points a game.

St. Vincent’s come into the contest having turned a corner in November. Three successive wins, including the aforementioned success over Belfast Star has dragged them four games clear of relegation trouble and in Jaylyn Richardson, they have the leading scorer in the Domino’s Men’s Super League. The previous meeting between the sides this season ended in a six-point road win for St. Vincent’s, so they will be making the trip down the M7 full of confidence.

2022 Pat Duffy Cup winners Garvey’s Tralee Warriors will look to continue their search for glory when they host Killester on Saturday evening. The two sides faced each other two weeks ago which saw Tralee come out on top in a 62-47 victory. Injury-hit defending champions Killester are on a two-game losing streak after losses to Tralee and UCD Marian. Baptiste Chazelas made his return for Killester against Tralee, but they were still without Robert Braswell. They will be hoping to have both men back for the quarter-final this weekend.

It has been 14 years since UCD Marian have been Pat Duffy Cup champions. They will be hoping to finally make a strong push this year after a first-round elimination last year when they travel to Kerry to face Flexachem KCYMS. Marian have already travelled to Killorglin this season which ended in defeat for Marian after Killorglin ran out 90-68 victors. Killorglin were eliminated at the quarter-final stage last season at the hands of Éanna and will look to get to the last four with a second victory of the season over Marian.

All four quarter-finals will be shown live this weekend on BITV.