Preview: Women's Super League Week 3

Table toppers FloMAX Liffey Celtics will have a packed crowd behind them as they look to extend their winning run to three to start the Women’s Super League season.

They welcome Trinity Meteors to Leixlip for their home opener on Saturday afternoon on the back of wide margin victories over Utility Trust St. Paul’s and Midland Park Portlaoise Panthers.

American signings Alexis Tucker and Eboni Williams appear to be fitting in well with an already stacked group, but the addition of former Irish U20 international Hazel Finn this off-season has proved another shrewd move by head coach Karl Kilbride, as he looks to edge his side over the line in the league, following last season’s unprecedented playoff against Killester.  

Meteors head coach Hillary Netsiyanwa praised his side’s ability to close out a tight game against the defending champions Killester last weekend. Sarah Kenny and Emma Merriweather picked up an impressive 11 offensive rebounds in that 66-62 win. They will need a similar performance on the boards if the Dublin side are going to knock off last season’s top two in successive weeks.

Incredibly eight of the remaining nine teams, including Trinity Meteors, currently sit in a tie for second place in the table with a 1-1 record through two weekends. 

Only University of Galway Mystics are still searching for a first win of the campaign and they will be huge underdogs to pick it up on the road against Killester. The black and orange haven’t lost a game at home since a 83-75 reversal to DCU Mercy in February 2023. Samatha Haiby has shown that she will be a difficult matchup for any team this season, averaging 31ppg in the opening two weeks of the season and she could be in line for another big showing in this one.

Mystics are still dealing with the absence of the injured Kara McCleane. They will need her to return at close to her best in order to avoid losing touch with the remainder of the Women’s Super League at the foot of the table.

The Address UCC Glanmire will have home comforts on a short week as they aim to bounce back from a defeat to Utility Trust St. Paul’s in Killarney on Monday night. Callie Kavanagh leads the Women’s Super League scoring charts following the first two weekends but Waterford have a reputation for being very physical defensively and time will tell as to whether she is able to maintain her blistering start. SETU Waterford Wildcats won both league meetings between the sides a year ago and another 40% shooting performance from beyond the arc could be the key for them moving to 2-1 on the year.

Irish internationals Kate and Sarah Hickey have started the season strongly, combining for 37 points and 13 rebounds through eight quarters. They will be a big part of the gameplan for head coach Jillian Hayes once more.

Lynn Tunnah has been making the most of her step up to the Women’s Super League with Midland Park Portlaoise Panthers, starting the season with a league leading six assists per game. The Laois side were outgunned by FloMAX Liffey Celtics, but will feel they are back in more steady waters against Catalyst Fr.Mathews. Amy Dooley has been another excellent pick up for Panthers defensively and her battle inside with Kyra White is going to be a big factor in deciding the outcome of the game. 

Sunday’s only game will see Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell welcome a confident Utility Trust St. Paul’s to the Northside of Cork, with the opportunity to stay level in second place in the standings. Trinity Hudson shot 54% from the field in amassing 49 points against University of Galway Mystics for Brunell a week ago. Continuing that run of form will be hugely important for Liam Culloty’s young group, as they still manage without long-term absentee Edel Thornton.

There are positive signs on that front for both Culloty and Ireland head coach James Weldon as Thornton appears to be nearing a return to the floor following a 10-month absence.

Women's Super League 24-25