Tradehouse Central Ballincollig look to make it 11 wins, WIT Waterford Wildcat target top spot

InsureMyVan.ie Super League

Tradehouse Central Ballincollig head coach Kieran O’Sullivan insists their unbeaten record isn’t preying on their minds. Tradehouse Central Ballincollig’s 90-73 win at Bright DCU Saints was their 10^th in a row in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League. Their next challengers are Team 360 Financial Killorglin.

“We are very much looking forward to playing at home, as we have not played there in over two months. We don’t think about being unbeaten, instead it’s next game mentality, Killorglin gave us a very tough game in their place and Saturday’s game should be very interesting.” O’Sullivan said.

Tradehouse Central Ballincollig won 69-64 at Team 360 Financial Killorglin in October and head coach Declan Wall says it’s a “free shot” for his side, with the expectancy all on their opponents. “Tough game on the road this week for us against Ballincollig, who are flying at the moment and being unbeaten in the league so far. They are a well drilled side and well coached, so for us to try and go up there to compete, we will have to play a lot better than we have been in the last month. It's a bit of a free shot this weekend, as I think no one would expect us to get a win going on form, so it's a chance for us to try to improve on the aspects that have let us down recently and try and finish the season as best we can. In Killorglin when we played them we felt we could have won that game, but for a late rally from Ballincollig, so if we can repeat that kind of performance again I would take that to give us a chance down the stretch.”

Declan Wall, Team 360 Financial Killorglin head coach

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors head coach John Dowling says their 85-75 defeat at DBS Éanna was a “wake-up call” for the InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup champions. The Kerry side are still second in the South Conference and Dowling is looking for a response against Moycullen on Saturday.

“Last week was a wake-up call for our guys, that we have a lot of work to do in order to contest with the likes of DBS Éanna, a top team in the league. Moycullen have shown they can beat anyone beating Killester and running (Griffith College) Templeogue close. We will have to be in top form if we are going to get the result”, Dowling stated.

His Moycullen counterpart, John Cunningham, is also looking to get back to winning ways, having suffered a 79-46 home defeat to Belfast Star. “Tough road trip. This being their first home game since their Cup win and their having two weeks to shake off the celebrations makes it even tougher. We’d like to think we gave them a bit of a fright in the Cup game down there, closing the gap to four points late in the 4^th (quarter), but they still closed out the game like champions. One thing is for sure, if we shoot as poorly as last weekend, we haven’t a chance. However, that was our only bad day out in January, so we’ve parked it and moved on. The crowd in Tralee always gives a bit of a lift to the opposition as well and we’ll definitely be ready to give our all on the night.”

Belfast Star host Killester, as fourth play third in the North Conference. Star head coach Adrian Fulton is expecting a tough test. “Killester are just off a very impressive win on the road in Killorglin, after another excellent performance to beat the Cup winners Tralee Warriors. We will have our hands full with them. When we won in the IWA earlier in the season Ciaran Roe wasn't playing, so that really helped us. We have a run of home games now and we hope we can string some good performances together. We haven't played in front of our home fans since mid-December, so we are looking forward to that. Brian (O’Malley) and Mark (Grennell) are excellent coaches and they have loads of talent and experience in the squad. It should be fun!”

Brian O’Malley is looking to build on their 95-71 road win at Team 360 Financial Killorglin, with another in Belfast. “We are looking forward to the game at the weekend. We had a good performance overall in Killorglin, but there was still a number of things we had to work on this week. As we move back into the Conference schedule, it gives us a good chance to see how far we've have progressed as a team.”

North Conference leaders DBS Éanna host Dublin rivals Griffith College Templeogue and head coach Darren McGovern is expecting another close game. “Tough opponents for us. Every match up has been very close contests. I expect nothing less this weekend. With the talent and experience they possess, we know we have to be at our best. Our form has been great and we have the belief in the squad to match anyone this season.”

Devin Gilmore of DBS Éanna in action against Griffith College Templeogue earlier this season

Griffith College Templeogue head coach, Mark Keenan, stated: “There’s a great healthy rivalry between ourselves and Éanna, which has thrown up some great games over the past few seasons. I expect Saturday will be no different. They are a very strong, deep, team this year, with great players in every position. Our guys will be up for the challenge and will need to play great basketball in order to turn them over.”

NUIG Maree host C&S Neptune and head coach Charlie Crowley is hoping to make it third time lucky, having lost in the league and in the Cup semi-finals to the Cork club.

“We’re looking forward to getting another shot at Neptune this weekend. They’ve got the better of us twice now, most recently in the Cup semi’s, so having another chance to try come out the right side against them is always welcomed. Hopefully now we can build on last weekend’s win against Templeogue”.

“This weekend’s game will be in honour of Bruce Kelliher, a club member who tragically passed away earlier this week. Most recently involved with Maree, but also heavily involved with Tralee Basketball years ago. Our sincerest condolences go out to the Kelliher family, you are all in our thoughts during this tough time.”

Bright DCU Saints host UCD Marian, Gareth Winders head coach is upbeat ahead of the game. “We had a very good performance last weekend against Ballincollig, we put ourselves in a great position to get something out of the game and again was a step forward for us. UCD are a good team and have had some big games and results this season. We will look to play them the same way as our first meeting and look forward to the game.”

UCD Marian head coach Josko Srzic added: “We know DCU Saints have always been a tough team to play at their home court, we are not expecting anything different this time. They are improving every game, they will definitely upset some teams in next games.”

MissQuote.ie Super League 

WIT Waterford Wildcats have the chance to go level on points at top of the MissQuote.ie Super League if they win at IT Carlow Basketball. Leaders The Address UCC Glanmire’s game with Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics is postponed due to Covid-19.

WIT Waterford Wildcats head coach Tommy O’Mahony warned of the dangers that their upcoming opponents pose. “We come up against IT Carlow this weekend, who have shown throughout the season that they can perform with the best in the league. They have been quite unlucky with results and have multiple threats that we need to be aware of. We put in a solid performance last weekend and we expecting a tough game and need to be ready for all that IT Carlow throw at us.”

Rachel Thompson of WIT Waterford Wildcats in action against Ali Donohoe of DCU Mercy during the InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor Cup semi-final 

IT Carlow Basketball are yet to register a win this season, but head coach Martin Conroy praised the continued efforts of his players. “Every game is tough in this league and Sunday is no different. We play a very talented Wildcats side, who are right in the middle of a title race. We’re playing a lot better now and hopefully that will continue. I’m hugely proud of our girls and the effort and courage they’re putting in for our club every week. They’re an awesome group to be around and to coach.”

Third-placed Singleton SuperValu Brunell, fresh off their 72-66 derby victory over Fr. Mathews, face a trip to DCU Mercy. Head coach Tim O’Halloran is hopeful that American Kwanza Murray can return, she was a late injury withdrawal from last weekend’s game. “After a big win Sunday it doesn’t get any easier for us this week with an away game to DCU Mercy. Firstly, we hope to be fully healthy going to Dublin with Kwanza (Murray) missing last week’s game. DCU is always one of the toughest games of the year, as they always have a very good team and with Mark (Ingle) leading them they will be hard to beat, but all we can do is try our best and have no regrets. If we do that, I’m confident in the girls will pull off another big win.”

DCU Mercy supremo Mark Ingle added: "We are looking forward to playing Brunell this Sunday. They will present a great challenge for us and it should be a very close game if our last meeting is anything to by."

Killester had a four game winning run snapped by The Address UCC Glanmire last time out, a 104-97 home defeat. Next up is a trip to Fr. Mathews. Head coach Karl Kilbride is looking for an improved defensive performance this weekend. “Saturday is going to be a really tough test for us. Their record in the league really doesn’t tell the tale of how good they are. They have an excellent coach, one fo the best American’s in the league and as we saw the first time we played, one of the best players of all time in Gráinne (Dwyer), who’s having another excellent year, somewhat under the radar.”

Kilbride added, “We were obviously disappointed with the result against Glanmire last weekend, but more disappointed with the defensive performance. That’s an area we’re really hoping to improve this weekend. With six games to go in the season, every game takes on that little bit more importance. We know with how we’ve been scoring the ball, that if we can match that output and execution at the defensive end, we’re capable of being anybody on any given day.”

 Karl Kilbride, Killester head coach

Team Garvey’s St. Mary’s, who had a 68-67 overtime home win over DCU Mercy, are on the road at Trinity Meteors in Saturday’s opening MissQuote.ie Super League fixture of the weekend. Liam Culloty, Team Garvey’s St. Mary’s head coach is looking to build on their recent win. “We are starting off a busy week for us with a trip to Dublin to take on Trinity Meteors. We're expecting a really tough game - they managed to beat us by four points earlier in the season and they have made some additions to their squad since then. We are, as always, hoping to keep improving on our performances and picking up a win against DCU Mercy has given the team a lot of confidence. We are looking forward to the challenge.”

Trinity Meteors head coach Vincent O’Keeffe is seeking to halt a three-game losing streak. “This is an important game for both teams, as each of us try to establish some separation from the bottom part of the table. St Mary's are playing some great basketball at the moment. They are coming off the back of a really impressive win against DCU, which was all the more remarkable given that they have no Americans.

“We are playing our first home game since before Christmas, so it will be good to get back on familiar territory after a tough stretch of away games and hopefully get back to winning ways.”

MissQuote.ie Division 1

MissQuote.ie Division 1 North Conference leaders Ulster University host Swords Thunder on Saturday, while second-placed Griffith College Templeogue will be looking to close gap, with games at Marble City Hawks on Sunday and at home against Swords Thunder next Tuesday.

Maggie Byrne of NUIG Mystics in action against Kaitlyn Miley of Griffith College Templeogue during the InsureMyHouse.ie Women's Division 1 Cup final

South Conference leaders NUIG Mystics' game at Limerick Sport Huskies has been rescheduled from Sunday to Tuesday, while the fixture between LYIT Donegal and Phoenix Rockets has been postponed due to player unavailability. Saturday sees Portlaoise Panthers away at Limerick Celtics, while Marble City Hawks take on Tipperary Knights at O'Loughlins GAA Club.

InsureMyVan.ie Division 1 

It’s a big seven days for IT Carlow Basketball in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League. Martin Conroy’s side, who have a 7-1 record, can move joint top of the South Conference if they win their home games against second-placed Limerick Sport Eagles on Sunday and table-toppers UCC Demons next Wednesday.

Nate Schafer of IT Carlow in action against Steven Safo of Drogheda Wolves during the President's Cup semi-final

“We have three massive games at home in the next 10 days. Eagles are having a fantastic season and are playing some great basketball, Manny Payton is putting up big numbers every week and they have scoring options from everyone on their team, which they showed in their final quarter against Celtics. Demons are the best team in the league, I don’t think anyone would argue with that after their Cup Final victory. Kyle (Hosford) is a leader and (Tobias) Christensen and (Tala Fam) Thiam are two excellent pros. But it’s the Irish lads that are pushing them to the top of the league. And Limerick Celtics are a team that we just find it very difficult to beat. Their American (Andre) Wolford is a scorer and the other pros like (Roger) Sanahuja blend in nicely with the younger Irish lads. Aaron (Whelan) is a huge loss for us because of his long Covid, but his health is more important than basketball. The rest of the guys have been practicing well and coming in to these three games off a big local derby win. We’ll keep our head down and keep working hard.” - IT Carlow Basketball head coach, Martin Conroy.

Elsewhere in the South Conference, Saturday sees fourth-placed Limerick Celtics host Killarney Cougars, Scott Lakers Killarney will be looking to make it four wins in a row when they take on WIT Vikings at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre, while Portlaoise Panthers play Fr. Mathews.

In the North Conference leaders EJ Sligo All-Stars travel to Ulster University and second-placed Abbey Seals Dublin Lions host LYIT Donegal seeking their fourth win in a row. Elsewhere McGowan’s Tolka Rovers are away at Titans and Drogheda Wolves, who had two road wins last weekend, host Grand Hotel Malahide with Gavin Garland’s side looking to make it five successive league wins.

MissQuote.ie Super League fixtures:

Saturday 5th February

Trinity Meteors v Team Garvey's St. Mary's - Trinity Sports Hall, 14.30

Fr. Mathews v Killester - Fr. Mathews Arena, 17.00

Sunday 6th February

DCU Mercy v Singleton SuperValu Brunell - DCU Arena, 14.30

The Address UCC Glanmire v Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics POSTPONED

IT Carlow Basketball v WIT Waterford Wildcats - Barrow Centre, 15.30

InsureMyVan.ie Super League fixtures:

Saturday 5th February

Tradehouse Central Ballincollig v Team 360 Financial Killorglin - Ballincollig Community School, 16.00

Belfast Star v Killester - De La Salle College, 18.30

Bright DCU Saints v UCD Marian - DCU Sports Complex, 19.00

DBS Éanna v Griffith College Templeogue - Coláiste Éanna, 19.00

NUIG Maree v C&S Neptune - NUIG Kingfisher, 19.00

Garvey's Tralee Warriors v Moycullen - Tralee Sports Complex, 17.00

MissQuote.ie Division 1 fixtures:

Saturday 5th February

LYIT Donegal v Phoenix Rockets - LYIT, 12.00 POSTPONED

Ulster University v Swords Thunder - UUJ, 17.00

Limerick Celtics v Portlaoise Panthers - St Munchins College, 18.15

Marble City Hawks v Tipperary Knights - O'Loughlins GAA Club, 17.00

Sunday 6^th February

Marble City Hawks v Griffith College Templeogue - O'Loughlins GAA Club, 17.00

Tuesday 8^th February

Griffith College Templeogue v Swords Thunder – St. Michael’s, Aylesbury Road, 19.30

Limerick Sport Huskies v NUIG Mystics - UL Arena, 20.00

InsureMyVan.ie Division 1 fixtures:

Saturday 5th February

Titans v McGowan’s Tolka Rovers - Ballinfoile Centre, 18.00

Portlaoise Panthers v Fr. Mathews - St. Mary's Hall, 19.00

Limerick Celtics v Killarney Cougars - St. Munchins College, 20.15

Ulster University v EJ Sligo All-Stars - UUJ, 19.30

Drogheda Wolves v Grand Hotel Malahide - Ballymakenny College, 19.30

Scotts Lakers Killarney v WIT Vikings – Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre, 19.30

Abbey Seals Dublin Lions v LYIT Donegal - Coláiste Bríd, 20.00

Sunday 6^th February 

IT Carlow Basketball v Limerick Sport Eagles - Barrow Centre, 12.30

Wednesday 9^th February

IT Carlow Basketball v UCC Demons – Barrow Centre, 20.00