National League

Nov 10 2021

National League preview - Tradehouse Central Ballincollig aim to maintain unbeaten run

Tradehouse Central Ballincollig head coach Francis O’Sullivan insists his team aren’t feeling any additional pressure or expectation as the last remaining unbeaten side in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League. The South Conference leaders take on Killester in the first weekend of cross-conference fixtures.

“We are mainly concerned about this Saturday’s performance. To get the best performance we are preparing properly, look after players injuries et cetera, scout other teams and generally stay sharp. Winning our home games is our key mantra for the season,” O’Sullivan said.

“We are looking forward to the cross-conference games, First up is Killester, who have great tradition, longevity and have been a powerhouse in the Super League for many years. They are a well-coached, physical team, with skilled players in every position and we are fully aware of the challenge ahead. We also welcome back our talisman Ciaran O’Sullivan this weekend. We are preparing hard in what will be a full house in BCS”, O’Sullivan said.

Killester were 83-78 winners at Griffith College Templeogue last weekend, but head coach, Brian O’Malley, thinks his side need to be on their game for the entirety to pick up another road win. “It is great to be heading to Cork to take on Ballincollig. They really have had a super start to the season. With Keelan (Cairns), Pau (Camí Gallera), Milorad (Sedlarevic) added to their panel and of course Adrian (O’Sullivan) back too, they are really formidable. We have had some really good spells and then periods of play where we haven't been as good, we'll need to eradicate those sloppy periods if we want to win in Cork.”

Griffith College Templeogue will be looking to get back to winning ways, when they travel to C&S Neptune. Head coach Mark Keenan is looking for a response from his side. “We need bounce back this week in Cork against a good young and experienced Neptune side. I think their record doesn’t reflect the quality they have.”

Colin O’Reilly, C&S Neptune head coach, was fulsome in his praise for their upcoming opponents. “Templeogue are possibly the most talented team in the league and have international players at multiple positions. They are also a group that have been together five or six years, which always makes them a tough team to play against, as they know each other so well. We are still yet to put together a full 40-minute performance, but the mood in the group is still positive, as we can see the progress weekly, even without the results going our way. It’s another good challenge to look forward to and the lads have approached the weeks training with great intensity, that we hope will carry over to the game.”

DBS Éanna have been severely hampered by injuries ahead of their trip to Moycullen on Sunday. On Tuesday their Serbian power forward Stefan Desnica was ruled out for the remainder of the season, due to an ACL injury. It’s the second season-ending injury to hit the squad after Tolu Antonio tore his patella tendon. Meanwhile, Alex Dolenko is waiting for scan results after hyper extending his knee in the 4th minute of their 70-69 win over UCD Marian last weekend, however head coach Darren McGovern says “it doesn’t look good” for the Ukrainian shooting guard.

There are also doubts over Hillary Netsiyanwa and Mark Reynolds for this weekend, both of whom are carrying knee aches, but McGovern remains positive. “Moycullen in the Kingfisher is one of the hardest places to go and win. Yes we are dealing with a mini injury crisis, but we are in winning form, so I'm confident we can keep growing together. We will definitely need a 40-minute performance to be on the right side of the result on Sunday.”

DBS Éanna head coach Darren McGovern

Moycullen are seeking their first win of the season, but head coach John Cunningham doesn’t think his team will have to wait too much longer to get off the mark. “Another tough game ahead. Éanna have recruited well as always and that’s reflected in their 3-1 league record. We played very well last weekend without reward against Tradehouse Central Ballincollig, but that’s the reality of the league. It’s the most evenly balanced league in my time around the Super League and we’re probably as competitive as we’ve ever been, despite our record. However, we just lack a bit of know-how to ride out our bad patches and other teams good patches. I do think we’re improving though and a first win is not far away. Let’s hope it’s Sunday.”

Both UCD Marian and Team 360 Financial Killorglin come into their contest with 2-2 records. Team 360 Financial Killorglin had a buzzer beater 90-89 win at C&S Neptune last time out, but head coach Declan Wall revealed his squad picked up some injuries in the game. “Our first trip to Dublin for another tough away game at UCD. Our good win last week against Neptune has come at a cost, with a few injuries to big players, so this weekend is going to be a huge test for our young squad. UCD have an experienced roster, but we will go there off the back of two wins recently. So we will try and stay in the game and hopefully come the final quarter we are in touching distance to have a go at pulling off a result.”

UCD Marian head coach Josko Srzic is wary of the attacking threat that Saturday’s opponents pose. “We know that we are playing team that can beat anyone in the league on a good day. With four import players, they have many options offensively, so we know we cannot allow a slow start that we had in previous games.”

In-form NUIG Maree travel to Belfast Star. They go into the contest off the back of an InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy National Cup win over holders Griffith College Templeogue and a InsureMyVan.ie Super League victory over previously unbeaten Garvey’s Tralee Warriors. NUIG Maree head coach Charlie Crowley said: “We’re going up to Belfast after two good performances at home. But away games are different and this is something we need to get sorted. Belfast are the reigning Super League champions and have a lot of expertise within their squad. With Adrian (Fulton) at the helm they’ve also got a tremendous coach. They’ve had some big wins against some top opposition, so we’re under no illusions of how tough this game is going to be.“

“We’ll be asking the lads to knuckle down this week and be ready for a difficult game on Saturday. Consistency is what separates good teams from great teams, so we’re looking to follow up our good performances with another this weekend.”

 Paul Freeman in action for NUIG Maree against Jason Killeen, of Griffith College Templeogue, in their recent InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup game.

Belfast Star were 67-59 winners at Bright DCU Saints last weekend, head coach Adrian Fulton, gave his thoughts ahead of the game with NUIG Maree. “It is tough to think of tougher opposition than Maree. Charlie Crowley has clearly got his squad playing very well. They have added to a talented and experienced core group, led by a terrific guard in Eoin Rockall. Maree have added a lot of strength with their pros and their confidence must be high after great back-to-back wins. We played some good stuff last weekend, with our bench playing a huge part in the game, but we will need to improve our ball movement and shot selection if we are to challenge Maree.”

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors host Bright DCU Saints, their head coach John Dowling isn’t underestimating his upcoming opponents, who are still seeking their first win of the season. “Saints have been battling very hard and have suffered defeats that aren’t reflective of the game itself, they pushed Belfast (Star) all the way last week, so they are moving in the right direction. We are looking to get back on track and with three games in a row in front of the most loyal fans in Ireland we will have every opportunity to do so. We are looking forward to getting back out in the (Tralee Sports) Complex on Saturday night.”

Gareth Winders, Bright DCU Saints head coach, believes his team are making progress. “We had a good performance against (Belfast) Star and are starting to see improvements throughout our squad. Tralee are a strong team, it’s a hard place to go to get a result. We have been working to improve every week and we will look to step up again on Saturday night. We have a great group of players and they know there are bigger performances to come.”

There are no games in the MissQuote.ie Super League, which is on an international break due to Ireland’s senior women in FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifier action against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday, followed by a home game against Czech Republic on Sunday at the National Basketball Arena (Buy tickets here).

In the MissQuote.ie Division One, the pick of the fixtures sees the two remaining unbeaten sides face off, when South Conference leaders NUIG Mystics host North Conference leaders Ulster University.

Paul O’Brien, NUIG Mystics head coach, said: “We are really looking forward to this game. They are a great team with multiple players who can hurt us. We have had the last few weeks off, so we feel well prepared and are hopeful we can get the win.”

Paul O'Brien, NUIG Mystics head coach

Ulster University’s Patrick O’Neill, who won the MissQuote.ie Division One coach of the month award for October, thinks his team will be in for a stern test. “It has been a good start for us, with the team really working well for each other. In Mystics you have the most talented squad in the league and we are under no illusions as to how tough a game this will be in Galway. Paul O’Brien is doing a great job, having assimilated the Maree Super League players into Mystics.”

In the InsureMyHouse.ie Division One there are four teams will unblemished records – UCC Demons, Limerick Sport Eagles, IT Carlow Basketball and Grand Hotel Malahide. UCC Demons are away at Scotts Lakers Killarney, Limerick Sport Eagles host Fr. Mathews, IT Carlow Basketball travel to Limerick Celtics, while Grand Hotel Malahide have a Dublin derby at Abbey Seals Dublin Lions.

InsureMyVan.ie Super League fixtures

Saturday 13th November

Tradehouse Central Ballincollig v Killester (Ballincollig Community School) 1600

Belfast Star v NUIG Maree (De La Salle College) 1830

C&S Neptune v Griffith College Templeogue (Neptune Stadium) 1830

UCD Marian v Team 360 Financial Killorglin (Oatlands College, Stillorgan) 1900

Garvey’s Traleee Warriors v Bright DCU Saints (Tralee Sports Complex) 1930

Sunday 14th November

Moycullen BC v DBS Éanna (NUIG Sports Centre) 1500

InsureMyVan.ie Division One fixtures

Saturday 13th November

McGowans Tolka Rovers v Ulster University (Tolka Rovers Sports Complex) 1800

Limerick Sport Eagles v Fr. Mathews (UL Arena) 1900

Portlaoise Panthers v WIT Vikings (St. Mary’s Hall) 1900

Abbey Seals Dublin Lions v Grand Hotel Malahide (Colaiste Brid) 1915

Limerick Celtics v IT Carlow Basketball (St. Munchins College) 1915

Drogheda Wolves v EJ Sligo All-Stars (Ballymakenny College) 1930

Scotts Lakers Killarney v UCC Demons (Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre) 1930

MissQuote.ie Division 1 fixtures

Saturday 13th November

NUIG Mystics v Ulster University (Claregalway Secondary School) 1500

Limerick Sport Huskies v Griffith College Templeogue (St. Munchins College, Corbally) 1630

Marble City Hawks v Swords Thunder (O’Loughlins GAA Club) 1700

Phoenix Rockets v Limerick Celtics (Lisburn Racquets Club) 1830

Sunday 14th November

Portlaoise Panthers v LYIT Donegal (St. Mary’s Hall) 1300

Tipperary Knights v Limerick Sport Huskies (Presentation Secondary, Thurles) 1500