Men's Super League and Men's Division One 2024/25 fixtures revealed

A clash between the last two winners of the Men's Super League will open the 2024/25 season, as Griffith College Éanna travel to Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @ MTU on Saturday, October 5th at 16:00 on basketballireland.tv. 

Full season fixtures available here.

It's the first time the Dublin side will begin a season as the defending champions - their 93-61 win over cross-city rivals Killester at the National Basketball Arena in April lit the touch paper on celebrations for the team in blue that continued into the days and weeks after the buzzer.  Antonio López is one of the new faces in the Men's Super League. The Spaniard was named as the Ballincollig club's head coach earlier this summer and will face a baptism of fire in their home opener.  

Griffith College Éanna have a target on their back this season as they look to defend that crown, something head coach Darren McGovern is well aware of: "The season came rolling around quickly. As a club we are thrilled with winning the title last season. It really was the reward for the long list of people who volunteer their time to the club to make it as successful as it has been over the last number of years at local and national levels. Pre-season has been slow for us. We are not were we should be, but if the team can put their best foot forward, we will be a tough opposition for teams this season. Opening night down in Ballincollig will be interesting with a new professional coach leading them.

It'll be a new dawn for both teams when Belfast Star take on Energywise Ireland Neptune at Newforge Sports Complex on opening night. Rafi Olmassakian is the new head coach for Star following Adrian Fulton's decision to take a step back after six years in charge at the conclusion of last season. Olmassakian worked as an assistant coach on Fulton's staff a year ago and has managed to keep the majority of that regular season leading roster intact. 

His opposite number Pat Price is back at the helm for Neptune for the first time since 2015. Price has enjoyed stints with rivals UCC Demons, Garvey's Tralee Warriors and more recently with Catalyst Fr.Mathews in the Women's Super League in the interim, but he is now tasked with bringing a first Men's Super League title to the Cork club since 2003. 

The longest tenured coach in the Men's Super League, Mark Keenan, returns for his 12th season with Templeogue. The Ireland senior men's head coach will be game-planning for another new coach to these shores, Maree BC's Fernando Bethencourt Munoz. Coach Bethencourt takes the reigns from Charlie Crowley and weclomes back Pat Duffy Cup final MVP Jarret Haines to Galway for the 2024/25 campaign. 

Elsewhere, beaten Men's Super League finalists Killester start with a North Dublin derby against Bright St. Vincent's in Oblate Hall, while newly promoted UCD Marian welcome the Jordan Blount led Flexachem KCYMS to the UCD Sports Centre. The opening weekend will conclude on Sunday afternoon when Pat Duffy Cup champions UCC Demons host Garvey's Tralee Warriors at the Mardyke Arena. 

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FORMAT

• A 13 team regular season will see each team play one another home and away for a total of 24 games. 
• The first placed team in the standings will be declared the 'regular season winners'.
• The top eight teams in the table will advance to the playoffs to compete for the Men's Super League title. 
• 12th and 13th placed teams in the standings will be relegated to the Men's Division One for 2025/26.

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Ulster University's bid to make an immediate return to the top tier of Irish basketball will get the Men's Division One season underway when they make the trip to Team Northwest on Saturday, October 5th at 17:00 on basketballireland.tv.

Full season fixtures available here.

Maigh Cuilinn are the other side making the step down from the Men's Super League. They have home advantage against a Limerick Sport Eagles side who made the promotion playoff two years ago and should have similar ambitions under new head coach Niall McDermott. Maigh Cuilinn will themselves have a new coach on the sidelines - the club announced John Cunningham is stepping down after eight seasons in charge. 

Marcus Black dribbles the ball for Moy Tolka Rovers during the Men's Division One promotion playoff in 2023/24. 

The tie of the opening round in the eyes of many will see Portlaoise Panthers welcome Joels' Dublin Lions to St. Mary's Hall at 19:00. The Clondalkin side made a big announcement during the off-season when Irish international Aidan Igiehon declared his intention to return to the club following the conclusion of his collegiate career in the United States. 

Two new faces will be playing their first minutes in the National League when Tipp Talons host Limerick Celtics and Carrick Crusiers make the trip to North county Dublin to take on Mater Private Malahide. The Tipperary outfit will have plenty of experience at this level with the clipboard as former Trinity Meteors and Portlaoise Panthers head coach Niall Berry takes charge, while Monaghan based Crusiers are continuing the momentum that saw them hoist a first Men's National Intermediate Cup at the National Basketball Arena in January. 

Elsewhere Titans BC start their second season at this level with home advantage against Killarney Cougars, while Scotts Lakers Killarney take the 150km trip across the South coast to play SETU Waterford Vikings. 

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FORMAT

• 16 teams separated into two conferences of 8 teams, playing 22 games. 
• Top 4 teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs.
• The team that wins playoff final is Men’s Division One champion, earning promotion for the 2025/26 season.
• 15th and 16th placed teams in the standings may be relegated to BIDL for 2025/26.