National League

Jan 24 2025

Storm Éowyn forces one postponement as National Cup champions Killester and FloMAX Liffey Celtics return to Super League action

Storm Éowyn has caused one Women’s Super League fixture to be postponed this weekend, with University of Galway Mystics’ home tie with Killester called off on Friday due to damage at their venue in Claregalway. It is to be rescheduled for a yet to be determined date.

On the court, Paudie O’Connor National Cup champions FloMAX Liffey Celtics return to league action with an away trip to Trinity Meteors.

Captain Áine O’Connor says their attentions are firmly on this weekend’s game: “We had a great win in the Cup last weekend and definitely enjoyed celebrating it, but we know how competitive the league is and the challenge that playing Meteors will bring on Saturday, so we've refocused and are looking forward to getting back on the court.”

Áine O'Connor and Sorcha Tiernan with the Paudie O'Connor National Cup trophy

Head coach Karl Kilbride added: “Saturday will be really tough. Meteors are the highest scoring team in the league, they’ve won four of their last five and they have a bunch of talent inside and out. We know they’re going to be a big threat both on the offensive boards and in ball screens. Coming off the Cup final on Sunday, we’ll need to be laser focused back on the league this weekend, or we’ll find ourselves in for a really rough evening.”

Trinity Meteors haven’t played since 76-61 loss at Killester on January 4^th and head coach Hillary Netsiyanwa is hopeful they can hit their stride quickly. “We are looking forward to being back after a long break, taking on the Cup champions Liffey will always be a challenge, which the girls are up for”, he said.

Trinity Meteors head coach Hillary Netsiyanwa

Second-placed SETU Waterford Wildcats will be looking to bounce back from their recent Cup semi-final defeat to Liffey Celtics and league loss to Catalyst Fr. Mathews, when they host The Address UCC Glanmire.

Elsewhere Utility Trust St. Paul’s Killarney host Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell and Midland Portlaoise Panthers are at home against Catalyst Fr. Mathews.

Killester return to Men’s Super League duties following the highs of last weekend’s Pat Duffy National Cup success, with a home tie against Belfast Star. Paul Dick who picked up an injury in the final win over UCC Demons, remains absent.

Killester head coach Jonny Grennell said: “We are looking forward to a tough game this weekend. Star have had two league games the past two weeks, so will be coming in sharp. In an ideal world, we would just pick back up where we left off in the league - easier said than done though! Star present match up difficulties across the board, but the fact we don't have Paul Dick will give us a greater sense of urgency to get a positive result.”

 Killester will be without the influential Paul Dick, as they return to Men's Super League action at home against Belfast Star.

UCC Demons, who suffered heartache last weekend will return to Dublin again this weekend, with a tricky tie against defending Super League champions Griffith College Éanna.

Head coach Daniel O’Mahony praised his players’ focus ahead of this weekend’s fixture. “Great to be back in league action straight away. Éanna are a game back on us, so this weekend could be huge one if we are to push for the league title. I’m very impressed with lads efforts this week at practice“, he said.

Energywise Ireland Neptune have a double gameweek, they’ve already claimed local bragging rights with a 92-89 success over Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU on Thursday night and they’re back at Neptune Stadium again on Saturday night, when they host Ej Sligo All-Stars.

The other two fixtures scheduled for this weekend sees Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU host Templeogue, while Flexachem KCYMS take on Maree at Killorglin Sports Complex. The Dublin derby between Bright St. Vincent’s and UCD Marian was postponed earlier this week.

In Men’s Division One Presidents’ National Cup champions Limerick Celtics host SETU Waterford Vikings. Tony Hehir’s side remain unbeaten in the league (13-0), as do ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers (12-0), who will be looking to banish their Cup final disappointment when they travel to Carrick Cruisers. Elsewhere it’s Ulster University versus Moy Tolka Rovers, Team Northwest take on Joels Dublin Lions, Tipp Talons host Limerick Sport Eagles, Galway side Titans BC play Scotts Lakers Killarney, Drogheda Wolves against Mater Private Malahide and Killarney Cougards versus Maigh Cuilinn.

In Women’s Divison One, Cup champions McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles, who are also 9-0 in the league, are seeking to continue their perfect record so far this season when they host Limerick Sport Huskies at Virginia Show Centre. It’s a repeat of the Cup semi-final and a Dublin derby, as Oblate Dynamos play iSecure Swords Thunder. The remaining fixtures sees Limerick Celtics face Abbey Seals Dublin Lions and Templeogue against Cleveland Rockets.

Men’s Super League Fixtures

Saturday 25^th January

Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU v Templeogue, MTU Arena, 1600

Energywise Ireland Neptune v EJ Sligo All-Stars, Neptune Stadium, 1830

Griffith College Éanna v UCC Demons, Coláiste Éanna, 1900

Bright St. Vincent’s v UCD Marian, POSTPONED

Flexachem KCYMS v Maree, Killorglin Sports Complex, 1915

Killester v Belfast Star, IWA Clontarf, 1915

Women’s Super League Fixtures

Saturday 25^th January

University of Galway Mystics v Killester, POSTPONED

Utility Trust St. Paul’s Killarney v Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell, Aura, 1600