Preview: Post-season seeding all to play for in InsureMyVan.ie Division One

The playoff participants are all locked in the InsureMyVan.ie Division One, but the identity of the seeding, especially in the North Conference, remains up in the air.

Kavanagh’s Portlaoise Panthers, Drogheda Wolves and UCD Marian are in the hunt for home court advantage. A dramatic buzzer beater by Wolves against the Panthers last weekend has set them up for a chance to pilfer top spot by beating Killarney Cougars on the road in their final game of the regular season.

For Kavanagh’s Portlaoise Panthers, who have topped the standings for the majority of the season, the possibility is there to slip as low as the three seed, if UCD Marian can extend their winning run to seven on Saturday night. The last defeat for Ioannis Liapakis’ side was in the reverse fixture in Portlaoise at the end of January, when a blistering final quarter from Dylan Dunne and Ravel Moody secured a 95-78 win. 

Moy Tolka Rovers already know they’ll play Limerick Celtics on the road in the first round of the playoffs. They look to build momentum with a win over already relegated Team NorthWest. At the same time, Mater Private Malahide and Joels Dublin Lions round off their campaigns with a derby in North County Dublin.  

Limerick Celtics can choose to rest up or try to make some tweaks against SETU Waterford Vikings in the South Conference ahead of the post-season, with their path to promotion clear for Tony Hehir as top seed. 

SETU Carlow and Limerick Sport Eagles are battling for the second seed. One more win could seal the deal for Carlow, who have two road games in Kerry to contend with. First up is relegation threatened Killarney Cougars, before a tricky tie against St. Pauls Killarney, who will feature in the playoffs themselves as at least the fourth seed. 

InsureMyHouse.ie Presidents’ Cup finalists Limerick Sport Eagles have a chance to sneak second place and home court advantage in their opening game. It’ll be no easy task to get over the line against Titans BC though. The Galway team could require one further win to secure their spot in the InsureMyVan.ie Division One for the coming season.