National League

Nov 04 2021

InsureMyVan.ie Super League and Division 1 preview

Griffith College Templeogue, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors and Tradehouse Central Ballincollig will all put their unbeaten InsureMyVan.ie Super League records on the line this weekend.

Griffith College Templeogue have a Dublin derby against Killester to contend with, head coach Mark Keenan is looking for a response following their InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy National Cup exit at the hands of NUIG Maree, a game which they lost 85-83. “I’m looking forward to our first home game of the season in Nord Anglia against Killester. Killester have hit some great form in their last few games and are a very talented and experienced side. We will be looking to bounce back to form after last week’s Cup game.”

Brian O’Malley, Killester head coach added: “We're looking forward to the weekend, Templeogue are always a massive challenge and we've had a number of back-and-forth battles down through the last few years. We'll have to be very sharp to curb the influence of (Jason) Killeen and (Lorcan) Murphy, but such is their quality they've lots of weapons that can hurt you.”

NUIG Maree have picked up just a single league win so far, next up is Garvey’s Tralee Warriors. “Again we’ve got a massive game this weekend. No more than when we played Neptune and Ballincollig, they’re going to be a very tough team. They dispatched of Ballincollig last weekend and are unbeaten for a reason. With John (Dowling) they’ve a good coach and have some good players at their disposal.” Charlie Crowley said.

“The lads put in a great shift last weekend for the majority of the game. But they’ll have to match that, or even better it, again this weekend against this opposition. The guys have trained hard again this week and with the tremendous support we’ll have in the Kingfisher we hope to put on another good performance.”

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors were 74-66 winners over Tradehouse Central Ballincollig in the InsureMyHouse Pat Duffy National Cup last weekend, John Dowling thinks his side are in for a testing encounter in Galway. “It will be a tough game for us on the road, they have been competitive in every game they have played and last weekend beating the Cup holders (Griffith College Templeogue) just shows how good they are. They have recruited very well, backed up with one of the best point guards in the league Eoin (Rockall), it will be a tall order for us, but we’re hoping to be there or there abouts going down the stretch.”

Tradehouse Central Ballincollig are away at Moycullen on Sunday, head coach Kieran O’Sullivan stated: “We are looking forward to getting back to the league this weekend. We have huge respect for Moycullen, their culture of developing players, coaching philosophy and a tough game on Sunday is guaranteed. We are under no illusions that this represents a serious challenge and one we have being preparing hard this week. We want to maintain our unbeaten league record.”

Moycullen head coach, John Cunningham is hoping lessons have been learned from when they faced the same opponents in pre-season: “Looking forward to the game. With the (National) Cup bye we had a chance to get a good squad scrimmage in last weekend and we got a lot of value out of that. We played them in pre-season and they have a lot of quality. They really threw us out of rhythm offensively that day, but we’ve worked hard on our structure since. Sunday will tell how far we’ve come. We’re hoping for a good turnout and will be pushing hard for a win to get us off the mark.”

DBS Éanna host UCD Marian in another Dublin derby at the weekend. The home side will be buoyed by last weekend’s 98-69 win at Belfast Star in the Cup, their head coach Darren McGovern gave his thoughts ahead of the game. “UCD have the firepower to beat anybody in this Conference and League. They gave us a huge lesson in pre-season when missing a lot of key players, so we need to be on top form just to compete with them. I am looking forward to another packed out Colaiste Éanna gym on Saturday night and I’m hoping we end up on the right side of the result.”

Josko Srzic said: “Éanna are coming back from two big wins in last two games, playing in front of their home crowd, so I am expecting tough and physical game. We had a weekend off to work more, and we will try to improve on some things coming into next game.”

Bright DCU Saints are still awaiting their first InsureMyVan.ie Super League win, they host Belfast Star who’ve won just one of their three league games so far. Both sides are also coming off the back of round 1 eliminations in the Cup too.

Gareth Winders, Bright DCU Saints head coach, said: “After a disappointing (InsureMyHouse.ie) National Cup exit we are looking to get back to league action. We want to continue to work on our game and start to lift our performances. Star are an experienced team with a top coach and will present us with another challenge.”

Belfast Star head coach Adrian Fulton also looked ahead to the tie. “It’s a big game for us. DCU like ourselves have got off to a slow start. We are hoping to bounce back from a poor performance last weekend in the Cup. We know that DCU will fancy their chances, particularly at home. They are always a tough proposition and we simply have to be better to compete at this level.”

C&S Neptune host Team 360 Financial Killorglin. Both sides have just a single win to their names from their opening three games and will be eager to improve that record. Colin O’Reilly, C&S Neptune head coach, gave his thoughts ahead of the encounter: “Last week break gave us a nice chance to review and refresh after our first block of games. We have been able to build away from the spotlight, but everyone wants to play more games, so the break has brought extra enthusiasm to the group ahead of this weekend. To start the season we have had a number of young players really step up and give us fantastic individual performances which we hope will carry through to rest of the season.

“Going into game against Killorglin we know we are facing a well-coached team, who can hurt you from a number of positions, meaning we have to be ready to adapt to the various situations they will throw at us. Cork v Kerry games always bring out the best in teams and after spending an enjoyable season coaching Killorglin two years ago, I’m looking forward to seeing some familiar faces.”

Declan Wall, Team 360 Financial Killorglin head coach said: “We are looking forward to the challenge. After our home win against Moycullen last time out, we are now hoping to follow that up with a good performance against a well-coached team in Neptune. If we perform like we have been in the last few weeks it should give us every chance of getting our first away win of the season. Sessions have gone well this week and after the bye in the cup last week we are looking forward to getting back on court again this coming weekend.”

In the InsureMyVan.ie Division 1 UCC Demons and Limerick Sport Eagles have won all three of their South Conference games so far, neither side are playing this weekend. In the North Conference Grand Hotel Malahide and EJ Sligo All-Stars are unbeaten after their opening two games. Grand Hotel Malahide host Drogheda Wolves, while EJ Sligo All-Stars play at home against Ulster University.

InsureMyVan.ie Super League Fixtures

Saturday 6^th November

C&S Neptune v Team 360 Financial Killorglin (Neptune Stadium) 1830

DBS Éanna v UCD Marian (Colaiste Éanna) 1900

Bright DCU Saints v Belfast Star (DCU Sports Complex) 1900

NUIG Maree v Garvey’s Tralee Warriors (NUIG Sports Centre) 1900

Griffith College Templeogue v Killester (Nord Anglia International School) 1945

Sunday 7^th November

Moycullen BC v Tradehouse Central Ballincollig (NUIG Sports Centre) 1500

InsureMyVan.ie Division 1 Fixtures

Saturday 6^th November

McGowans Tolka Rovers v Titans (Tolka Rovers Sports Complex) 1800