National League

Dec 17 2025

Belfast Star looking for redemption against Ballincollig in cup rematch in Domino’s Men’s Super League

Belfast Star head coach Adrian Fulton says his side will “have to play much better” if they’re to gain revenge on Ballincollig, following their recent Domino’s MSL National Cup exit to the Cork outfit. It’s first versus second in the Domino’s Men’s Super League with both teams on 8-2 records and the victors on Saturday will take the outright lead at the top.

Star have suffered two straight losses, with the cup loss to Ballincollig preceding a defeat to Killester last Saturday. Ballincollig on the other hand have gone from strength-to-strength, after starting the season 0-2, they’ve won ten in a row in all competitions since.

Belfast coach Adrian Fulton is aware of the challenge the Cork side possess, but is more concerned with his own side. “I think we have played the best three teams we have played all year over the last month. We managed to squeeze past UCD at home, but lost a close game to a very good Ballincollig team at their place and then Killester outplayed us last Saturday. We obviously hope that we can get back to winning ways this weekend and it is great to be at home. But it is not going to be easy at all. We will have to play much better than last weekend and also for a full 40 minutes. We only got going when we were down 20 two weeks ago.”

Defending champions UCC Demons picked up a second victory of the season last weekend over Sligo, behind the two new signings in Jordan Washington and Tamyrik Fields. This weekend, Demons travel to Dublin to take on St. Vincent’s in Glasnevin, who themselves are hoping to avoid a fourth loss in five games in the Super League. A win for Vincent’s would take them firmly into the chasing pack for the playoffs, as they currently sit in seventh at 5-5. A win for Demons could potentially lift them above Limerick Celtics depending on how results go.

Third-placed Griffith College Éanna will travel south to take on Garvey’s Tralee Warriors on Saturday. Éanna picked up a win in UL Arena last weekend, after overturning Limerick Celtics through a big Sean Jenkins performance in the second half. Garvey’s Tralee Warriors have lost two of their last three, but a sixth win of the season this weekend could see Tralee back in the running for a strong playoff push.

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors Head coach John Dowling feels the pressure is on for his side now. “It is a must-win game for us to stay in the hunt for the Super League playoffs. We need to be present and focus on the task in hand.”, he said.

Limerick Celtics will be looking for an instant response after that home defeat to Éanna last weekend, when they also make the journey to the Kingdom to take on Flexachem KCYMS, who themselves suffered a big defeat to Ballincollig last weekend. Celtics have been on the wrong end of a few tight games this season, but the 22-point deficit to Éanna could potentially be the wake-up call needed to get their season really on the road, depending on how the players react this weekend in Killorglin. A win for Celtics would draw them level with Killorglin, whilst Killorglin could make up some ground on the playoff-headed sides with a victory on Saturday.

Energywise Ireland Neptune won their first game in almost a month after defeating Tralee last weekend. Ciaran Kiveney’s men will be looking to build on the big victory from last weekend when they take on a tough test on the road, at UCD Marian. Marian have really hit a purple patch as of late, and it looks like they could be set to improve, with new pro Bruce Saintilus scoring 28 points in 29 minutes for Marian on his debut against St. Vincent’s last weekend. Marian find themselves in fourth and a win this weekend would aid their push towards the summit of the table.

Killester have also found themselves right in the mix of things, as they head for the Christmas period. A record of 6-4, sitting in fifth and level with UCD Marian in fourth. This weekend, Killester will face EJ Sligo All-Stars, who have just the singular victory to their name in the last month of fixtures. Both sides desperately need a win for different reasons. A win for Killester could potentially put them in the top-three, while victory for Sligo would extend the distance from them to the foot of the table, whilst also trying to keep in the playoff conversation.

Fixtures

Domino’s Men’s Super League

Saturday December 20^th

Belfast Star v Ballincollig, Newforge Sports Complex, 6:30pm

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors v Griffith College Éanna, Castleisland Community Centre, 7pm

UCD Marian v Energywise Ireland Neptune, UCD Sports Centre, 7pm

Flexachem KCYMS v Limerick Celtics, Killorglin Sports Complex, 7:15pm

St. Vincent’s v UCC Demons, St Vincents Glasnevin, 7:30pm

EJ Sligo All-Stars v Killester, Mercy College,. 7:30pm

Domino’s Men’s Division One

Saturday 20^th December

Dublin Lions v Ulster University, Colaiste Bride, 5:30pm