National League

Jan 29 2026

Preview: Positive injury update for Belfast Star as Domino's Men's Super League challengers set to face off

Table toppers Belfast Star have the opportunity to put clear daylight between themselves and the chasing pack in the race for the one seed, as the Domino’s Men’s Super League leaders face two games in 48 hours this Bank Holiday weekend.

Star head coach Adrian Fulton will welcome back Irish international guard Conor Quinn for the visit of Flexachem KYCMS and Garvey’s Tralee Warriors to Newforge, while he is confident that Rapolas Buivydas will shake off any injury concerns ahead of the back-to-back.

“Rap has been tremendous this season, and he played very well last weekend,” said Fulton. A lot of teams have players who are banged up and their depth will be tested. We are no different. Rap didn’t practice last night but should be fine. Conor Quinn is also back. Michael Donnelly and Conor Ryan stepped up last weekend, but it has been our spread of scoring that has been encouraging”.

Belfast currently sit a game clear of Killester and Ballincollig at the summit and any if they’re able to extend their three game winning run, they’ll seriously tighten their grip on the regular season gong, which they last took in 2023.

The National Cup hangover struck Ballincollig at home to Energywise Ireland Neptune a week ago and Ciaran O’Sullivan faces another difficult task against UCD Marian as he looks to re-establish focus for the remainder of the campaign. They’ll do well not to have one eye on Monday’s matchup with second placed Killester, but O’Sullivan is aware they can’t allow last weekend’s performance to leak into two huge games.

“Right now, our sole focus is on rediscovering the energy and effort in our play. We were flat last week after the cup, so we know we have to drastically lift our intensity if we are going to compete this weekend”.

UCD Marian are a team that is clicking really well together and boasting two excellent American imports. It does not get any kinder on Monday, when Killester come to MTU Arena. Killester are one of the league’s top sides and possess threats all over the floor,” he added.

Marian managed to find their groove again last weekend, with their first win in three games, thanks to a 33-point game from mid-season pick up Zachary Hinton. Marian are currently sat in fourth spot and - despite their head coach playing down their chances – are in with a real shot of securing a home playoff berth.

Speaking on UCD Marian’s playoff hopes Liapakis said, “The playoff race is not our priority, because we have a three-year plan with three main goals. One, avoid relegation, two, develop our Irish young players and three, get better in every game compared to the last one. In case we do make the playoffs like we did last season, it would be a huge bonus and we will try our best to go as far as possible”.

Killester have made a big surge towards the summit of the table, winning five consecutive league games to get to 10-4 and sit joint-second with Ballincollig and just one game back on Belfast Star. Before the Killester meet Ballincollig on Monday, Killester will face UCC Demons in the IWA on Saturday evening, in a rematch of both the 2024/25 Men's National Cup and 2024/25 Men's Super League finals.

Demons picked up a vital win against Garvey’s Tralee Warriors last weekend to join Neptune, Sligo All-Stars and Flexachem KCYMS on four wins, with all four sides level on wins at the bottom of the table. Demons face a tough weekend ahead, facing two sides in the top four of the Domino’s Men’s Super League in Killester and UCD Marian.

Similar to Demons, Energywise Ireland Neptune picked up a crucial victory last weekend against Ballincollig in the fight to avoid relegation. This weekend, Neptune will play Limerick Celtics in what is the Celtics sole game this weekend. A win on Sunday for Neptune could potentially see them level with Celtics in the final playoff spot. But prior to that, Neptune will head to Dublin to face Griffith College Éanna on Saturday.

Éanna have struggled in recent time for any form. With just one win in four games, they find themselves joint-fourth, with UCD Marian and St. Vincent’s. Éanna will welcome two teams looking to steer away from relegation this weekend. They kick off their double gameweek by welcoming Neptune, then they will then head North and take on EJ Sligo All-Stars.

St. Vincent’s are another side looking to make a push for the best playoff position possible, with them currently tied for the final home playoff position. Vincent’s have won three of their last four matches, including a one-point win over Ballincollig. They will be hoping to keep the momentum going through the double gameweek as they will face EJ Sligo All-Stars in Glasnevin on Saturday, then make the trip down to Kerry to face Flexachem KCYMS in Killorglin with both sides in Sligo and Killorglin, desperate to move away from the foot of the table.

All of the Domino’s Men’s Super League games will be shown live and exclusively on BITV.

Fixtures

Domino’s Men’s Super League

Saturday 31^st January

Belfast Star v Flexachem KCYMS, Newforge Sports Complex, 6:30pm

Griffith College Éanna v Energywise Ireland Neptune, Coláiste Éanna, 7pm

UCD Marian v Ballincollig, UCD Sports Centre, 7pm

Killester v UCC Demons, IWA, 7:15pm

St. Vincent’s v EJ Sligo All-Stars, St. Vincent’s Glasnevin, 7:30pm

Sunday 1^st February

Belfast Star v Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, Newforge Sports Complex, 1:30pm

UCC Demons v UCD Marian, Mardyke Arena, 3:30pm