Top side Killester face third-placed Killarney in the Domino’s Women’s Super League

Utility Trust St. Paul’s Killarney head coach James Fleming said his side “face a formidable challenge” as they host top of the table Killester in the Domino’s Women’s Super League, in a repeat of last season’s playoff final.

Both sides come into the contest evenly poised with 5-1 records, with Killester’s unbeaten start snapped by Trinity Meteors last weekend. The game also pits two of the league’s in-form players, in Killester’s Samatha Haiby (22.3 ppg) and St. Paul’s Maise Burnham (21.8 ppg).

Speaking ahead of the game Fleming said: “We are looking forward to the weekend, we face a formidable challenge in Killester. They have a lot of weapons, some of the best Irish players, a great European and two serious Americans, they are champions for a reason. We are improving steadily and we feel that on any given night, we can match anyone. This will be a good challenge to see where we actually are as a team”.

Irish international Hazel Finn has carried her Irish form over into the Super League as Trinity Meteors defeated Killester to go second in the table last weekend, the win brought the Dublin side to a three-game winning streak and a 5-1 record. Trinity travel to Cork this weekend to face UCC Glanmire, who have won three of their last four games behind the strong offensive showings from American guard Jewel Watkins, who is averaging just over 20 points for the season.

Leading the chasing pack behind the top three are Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell (4-2), who host derby game against Catalyst Fr. Mathews at Neptune Stadium on Sunday. Liam Culloty’s side will have to contain Laila Blair, who is averaging 28 points a game for a Catalyst Fr. Mathews side still searching for that elusive first victory of the season. After starting 2-0, Brunell haven’t managed to keep a consistent run in games, going 2-2 over the last four. 

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell head coach Liam Culloty said: “We are looking forward to the challenge of Fr. Mathews this weekend. They have been playing really well over the last few weeks and pushed Glanmire all the way last weekend. We are hoping to build on the momentum of a tough away win last week in Portlaoise ahead of the Cup quarter-final next weekend. Its sure to be a tough Cork derby as always when we face off. Things are very tight at the top of the table, so every win is so important to keep in touch with the leading teams.”

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles enjoyed their first win away from home in the Domino’s Women’s Super League last weekend with a triumph over SETU Waterford Wildcats. They have the opportunity to reach a positive record for the first time this weekend as they take on the 1-5 FloMAX Liffey Celtics. For Liffey, they will be looking to get some momentum going as they prepare to begin their defence of the Domino’s WSL National Cup next weekend after a first round bye earlier in the season.

After starting the season with a victory, Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers have struggled in the Domino’s Women’s Super League, losing five games in a row since then. Portlaoise host SETU Waterford Wildcats, who are 3-3 through six games of the season. Waterford are second in the league in points per game, but are struggling on the defensive end, being second last in points per game conceded. A win for Waterford would give them a positive record and push them back towards the upper side of the table, but a win for Portlaoise would slowly push them away from the foot of the table.

Domino’s Women’s Super League Fixtures

Saturday 29^th November

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles v FloMAX Liffey Celtics, Virginia Show Centre, 3pm

Utility Trust St. Pauls Killarney v Killester, Aura, 4pm

Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers v SETU Waterford Wildcats, St Mary’s Hall, 7pm

Sunday 30^th November

UCC Glanmire v Trinity Meteors, Mardyke Arena, 1:30pm

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell v Catalyst Fr. Mathews, Neptune Stadium, 2pm

Domino’s Women’s Division One Fixtures

Saturday 29^th November

University of Galway Mystics v Abbey Seals Dublin Lions, Kingfisher, 4pm

Dublin Raiders v Limerick Sport Huskies, Colaiste Raithin, 5:15pm

Templeogue v Clunetech Kilkenny Stars, TUD Tallaght, 7pm

Sunday 30^th November

Limerick Celtics v Swords Thunder, Crescent College, 3:15pm

Domino’s Men’s Division One Fixtures

Saturday 29^th November

Ulster University v Templeogue, UUJ, 4:45pm

Team Northwest v Tipp Talons, ATU Donegal, 5pm

Maigh Cuilinn v ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers, Kingfisher, 7pm

Maree v Titans BC, Calasanctius College, 7pm

SPK Utility Trust Lakers v Killarney Cougars, Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre, 8pm