Preview: Ballincollig preparing to take on "great side" Killester in Domino’s Men’s Super League Final

After 22 rounds of league fixtures, followed by two knockout phases, we are left with just two sides vying for glory in the Domino’s Men’s Super League. Ballincollig of Cork will take on Killester from Dublin in the National Basketball Arena on Sunday in the final. Both sides have carried their form all the way to the date in the National Basketball Arena with Ballincollig ending the league phase in first place with a record of 17-5, with Killester securing second place on the final day of the season with a 16-6 record in the standings.

Ballincollig will look back on the season memorably regardless of Sunday’s outcome. After opening the season with back to back defeats against Limerick Celtics and St. Vincent’s, they would go on a ten-game winning streak to reach the summit of the table around the Christmas period. Shortly after December, cup glory arrived as they secured the Domino’s MSL National Cup with a 104-77 win over Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in the final. As the race at the top got tighter midway through the season, Ballincollig fell off of the top of the table briefly. However, following another six-game winning run to end the regular season, including a double overtime victory over Belfast Star on the final day, ensured they would end the season as the number one seed for the playoffs.

In the knockout stage of the competition, Ballincollig progressed through the quarter-finals with a cagey 91-83 victory over promoted side Limerick Celtics. The semi-finals produced more of a flattering scoreline for the league leaders, with a 21-point, 98-77 win over Griffith College Éanna to set up the final date with Killester. Ballincollig coach Ciaran O’Sullivan is proud of his sides achievements to date, and is excited about the contest on Sunday.

Speaking on Ballincollig’s season ahead of Sunday, O’Sullivan said “We are absolutely delighted to have reached the Super League final. Reaching this stage through one-off knockout games is always a tough challenge, but out performances has earned us this opportunity. With both squads in excellent form, packed with good pros and seasoned Irish players, who have been here before, this final is shaping up to be a brilliant contest. It is exactly the kind of high-quality matchup that the biggest stage deserves”.

Commenting on Killester, O’Sullivan added “ Jonny Grennell has done a remarkable job with Killester this season. Their consistency has been outstanding, even though they have had multiple injury setbacks from key guys, showing the true mark of a great side”.

Killester had more of a mixed bag of results as the season got underway. Wins over St. Vincent’s, Killorglin and defending champions UCC Demons were all separated by defeats to Éanna and Ballincollig in the opening five games. Following a quarter-final exit from the Domino’s MSL National Cup, the Christmas period is where Killester started to reach their peak in form, winning five games in a row between December and January in the league. Killester edged Ballincollig in February in an 81-80 victory which will no doubt give them confidence heading into this weekend.

 Josh Wilson of Killester, at the launch for the National League finals in the National Basketball Arena.

Killester ended the season with two victories over Belfast Star and EJ Sligo All-Stars to edge Star for second place in the table. As the playoff began, Killester advanced to the semi-final with an emphatic 98-77 win over St. Vincent’s. In the final four, Killester overcame a tough task in Belfast Star by four points to set up a final berth with Ballincollig. Killester head coach Jonathan Grennell believes his squad has a chance to do something special this weekend.

Speaking about the final, Grennell said “Really excited to be in the final against an outstanding Ballincollig team. They have set the standard all year and deserve the favourites tag, but we feel good about ourselves and our chances. Touch wood, we are the healthiest we have been all year. Which is a huge boost for Sunday. The tempo should be high, so we will need everyone to perform to their best to get the win”.

The Domino’s Men’s Super League Final between Ballincollig and Killester in the National Basketball Arena will be live on both BITV and TG4 from 3:45pm.