MissQuote.ie title race in focus under Friday night lights

There are only three games to go in one of the tightest MissQuote.ie Super League title races in recent memory, as four teams mathematically could still take home the silverware.

Killester have the chance to strike the first blow when they welcome DCU Mercy to Clontarf for a Friday night tip-off, a challenge Mimi Clarke acknowledges is going to be a tough one: “It’s always a hard-fought physical battle,” said Clarke. “Setting the tone with our defence will be key, and after a poor outside shooting performance last week, we will need to step it up on Friday if we want to remain fighting at the top of the league.” 

On the other hand, DCU Mercy haven’t enjoyed the kind of campaign they’d hoped for, but Hannah Thornton is looking forward to playing in front of a lively atmosphere in the IWA. “They’ve been in great form and are a very strong side,” said Thornton. “We’ve been working hard in training and we’re looking forward to it. It’s always a good atmosphere in the IWA and a great Dublin derby on International Women’s Day.” 

“This is a vital game for us,” SETU Waterford Wildcats star Kate Hickey is aware of the stakes this weekend. They are the team on the bubble. Anything but victory against third placed Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell will end their chances in the Southeast. A sentiment echoed by Brunell’s Danielle O’Leary. “Every game is huge now,” she said ahead of the contest. “As a team we just need to pull together and everyone needs to play their part if we’ve any chance of coming away with the win.”

Their one previous meeting in the MissQuote.ie Super League this season ended in a 99-73 win for the team from Cork. Injured Ireland captain Edel Thornton scored 17 points on that occasion. 

FloMAX Liffey Celtics are the final contender to take to the court, but they will start as heavy favourites for their trip to take on University of Galway Mystics on Sunday afternoon.  

“Every game for us is a must win to try and get the MissQuote.ie Super League title,” said Sorcha Tiernan. They’re coming off a great win last week and have a lot of young talent coming through so it will be a tough challenge away from home.” 

She’s right. That win for Mystics last weekend over Portlaoise Panthers has given them a glimmer of hope of staying up and it wouldn’t be the first time a team fighting for their survival has scuppered a title tilt. “We are playing better now than when we last played them,” claims University of Galway Mystics Ellie Glavin. “We feel when we are playing well, we are a tough match up for everyone.”

Elsewhere Catalyst Fr.Mathews can secure a place in the MissQuote.ie Champions Trophy by beating nearest rivals Ulster University.  “We know how dangerous Ulster are, especially at home,” said veteran Grainne Dwyer speaking ahead of the game on Saturday afternoon. 

Jordanstown has been a fortress of sorts for Patrick O’Neill’s team. Five of their seven MissQuote.ie Super League wins have come at the venue. “We’ve had an up and down season, so we’re looking to go get back to playing well for our last couple of games,” said Ulster University’s Aoife Callaghan. Fr. Matthews are a tough match-up, but we’ve learned and improved a lot since our last meeting.” That meeting ended in a 77-62 win for Catalyst Fr.Mathews.

Portlaoise Panthers conclude their maiden MissQuote.ie Super League season away to The Address UCC Glanmire, with little on the line outside of momentum and matching the record of fourth place SETU Waterford Wildcats for the home side. That doesn’t figure in the thinking of their captain, though. “We want to make sure we finish the regular season strong,” said Aine McKenna. “We have good momentum now and we want to keep that going as we head into the playoffs.”

A win for the Laois outfit might be enough to give them supremacy in their struggle with Mystics to stay in the top flight. Do Alyssa Velles and Jessica Fressle have one more big performance in them? All we be revealed at two o’clock on Sunday.