Preview: FloMAX Liffey Celtics look to go joint-top of Women’s Super League

FloMAX Liffey Celtics can go joint-top of the Women’s Super League on eight wins if they defeat Utility Trust St. Paul’s on Saturday, with current table toppers SETU Waterford Wildcats not playing this weekend. In the Men’s Super League, Killester head coach Jonny Grennell cited a “tricky to navigate” Christmas period, as they prepare to face Maree.

FloMAX Liffey Celtics, who are without Irish international Ciara Bracken, won 98-65 at Utility Trust St. Paul’s on the opening day of the season, but head coach Karl Kilbride isn’t underestimating this weekend's opponents who are trying to snap a four-game losing run.

“I don’t think St Paul’s record reflects the talent they possess. They can score at all 3 levels and they are incredibly tough and physical. We played well the first time we played them, down in Killarney, however they were missing some key players then, and Ciara Bracken is obviously a huge loss to us now. While we’ve been pretty good defensively all season, we’re still waiting for the offence to click. Hopefully another home game will help break that slump”, Kilbride said.

Third-placed Killester also have a fallow weekend, with Trinity Meteors and The Address UCC Glanmire facing off against each other to join the defending league champions on six wins. Mark Scannell’s team edged it 84-82 last time they faced Meteors and he is looking to build some momentum as they target the end-of-season playoffs.

“It’s a very important game as we start the second half of the season. We’ve been struggling with injuries the past few weeks and hopefully this situation improves and we get ourselves into the playoff mix. Meteors are having a good season, they have some depth and gave us a really good game in Cork, so on their home court they will cause problems, so we need to be ready”, Scannell said.

The Address UCC Glanmire head coach Mark Scannell.

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell and Midland Portlaoise Panthers go into their contest with matching 5-4 records, while University of Galway Mystics host Catalyst Fr. Mathews.

In the Men’s Super League leaders Killester host Maree at the IWA and head coach Jonny Grennell warned of the threats posed by the Galway side. “The Christmas period is always tricky to navigate - we lost this time last year to Templeogue in a very sloppy game. Maree have size and athleticism throughout their team, so we will need the game to be played at our tempo if we want a chance of winning. Easier said than done though after a break from training, but I'm sure our guys will be ready”, Grenell stated.

Ciaran Roe and Paul Dick in action for Killester during their recent Men's Super League game with Bright St. Vincent's.

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors (9-4) have bounced back from a four game losing run to register impressive back-to-back wins over Flexachem KCYMS and Griffith College Éanna. Looking ahead to their trip to Templeogue, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors head coach John Dowling said: “Double header weekend for us with Templeogue on Saturday and the Castleisland blitz on Sunday, so it’s a great way for us to continue to make improvements and build on our last two positive results.”

UCC Demons, who also have a 9-4 record, host UCD Marian, while Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU - who are on a five-game winning run - make the trip to Belfast Star. It’s a Dublin derby as Griffith College Éanna host Bright St. Vincent’s and EJ Sligo All-Stars face Flexachem KCYMS at Mercy College.

In Men’s Division One, two unbeaten sides remain, leaders Limerick Celtics (11-0) are away at Maigh Cuilinn on Saturday, while ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers (10-0) have home advantage against Ulster University on Sunday. Elsewhere on Saturday SETU Waterford Vikings play Killarney Cougars, it’s Mater Private Malahide versus Joels Dublin Lions and Drogheda Wolves against Team Northwest, while on Sunday Moy Tolka Rovers welcome Carrick Cruisers.

In Women’s Division One leaders McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles (8-0) put their unbeaten record on the line when they play Cleveland Rockets. There are also a host of derbies, Limerick Celtics host Limerick Sport Huskies, while there are a pair of Dublin derbies, with Moy Tolka Rovers taking on iSecure Swords Thunder and Oblate Dynamos facing Abbey Seals Dublin Lions.

Men’s Super League

Saturday December 28th

Templeogue vs Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, National Basketball Arena, 1600

Belfast Star vs Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU, Newforge Sports Complex, 1830

Sunday December 29nd

Killester vs Maree, IWA Clontarf, 1500

Griffith College Éanna vs Bright St. Vincent’s, Coláiste Éanna, 1500

UCC Demons vs UCD Marian, Mardyke Arena, 1530

EJ Sligo All-Stars vs Flexachem KCYMS, Mercy College, 1930

Women’s Super League

Saturday December 28th

FloMAX Liffey Celtics vs Utility Trust St. Paul’s, Leixlip Amenities, 1430

University of Galway Mystics vs Catalyst Fr. Mathews, University of Galway Kingfisher, 1530

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell vs Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers, Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell Parochial Hall, 1930

Sunday December 29nd

Trinity Meteors vs The Address UCC Glanmire, Coláiste Iosagáin, 1500

Men’s Division One

Saturday December 28th

SETU Waterford Vikings v Killarney Cougars, SETU Arena, 1600

Mater Private Malahide v Joels Dublin Lions, Malahide Community School, 1800

Drogheda Wolves v Team Northwest, Ballymakenny College, 1930

Maigh Cuilinn v Limerick Celtics, University of Galway Kingfisher, 1930

Sunday December 29th

ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers v Ulster University, St. Mary’s Hall, 1530

Moy Tolka Rovers v Carrick Cruisers, Tolka Rovers Sports Complex, 1600

Women’s Division One

Saturday December 28th

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles v Cleveland Rockets, Virginia Show Centre, 1600

Oblate Dynamos v Abbey Seals Dublin Lions, Oblate Hall, 1800

Sunday December 29th

Moy Tolka Rovers v iSecure Swords Thunder, Tolka Rovers, 1330

Limerick Celtics v Limerick Sport Huskies, Cresent College, 1515