Preview: Teams get set for National Cup semi-finals

Top of the league and one game ahead of the rest, Killester are doing well on the league side of things, but with a defeat to fellow semi-finalists FloMAX Liffey Celtics last Saturday, and with star Samantha Haiby an injury doubt, Killester have a tall task this weekend in the Domino’s WSL National Cup.

This weekend, Killester will aim to reach the final and win the cup that they last secured in 2023, when they travel down to Cork to face UCC Glanmire. Killester did in face see defeat in the league last weekend with a loss against Liffey, but a notable absence was star points leader Samantha Haiby. With Haiby currently a doubt to feature this weekend, coach Mark Grennell is still excited about the fixture.

Killester head coach Mark Grennell said: “Glanmire are excellent and will obviously be well prepared to face us. It’ll be tough playing them in Cork. Knockout basketball always throws up some fun games. Should be a fantastic matchup”.

Killester player Samantha Haiby.

For Glanmire, a first cup since 2017 is what’s on offer if they can reach the final with a win over Killester this weekend. Similar to Killester, they also tasted defeat last weekend against Brunell. However, Glanmire have won four of their last five, Head coach Mark Scannell is cautious yet optimistic ahead of the semi-final.“We are confident that we can compete with a very strong Killester team who know how to win and have been together for a while now”, Scannell said.

On the other side of the bracket, defending champions FloMAX Liffey Celtics and their head coach Hilary Netsiyanwa will take on his former side Trinity Meteors.

“This game carries context of course, but it doesn’t carry sentiment for me. My focus is on the players I’m on this journey with. Meteors are a well-coached, organized familiar team and we’re preparing for the game in front of us. Our focus is on our habits, our execution and doing the simple things well. The occasion doesn’t change our work.”, Netsiyanwa stated.

Liffey Celtics are in resurgent form as of late, having started the season 0-4 they’ve won their last five league and cup games, hitting form at the perfect time to defend their WSL National Cup crown. For Meteors, it is the opportunity to finally win a cup that has eluded them since 1998. Led by Irish international Hazel Finn, Trinity  have found themselves in a slight slump, winning just one of their last four.

Trinity Meteors head coach Seamas Donnelly said: “Liffey are the cup holders and with the arrival of Destinee (Bursch) are a nicely balanced team. Hillary and the coaching team have them playing exciting, fast-paced basketball, it should be a great game.”

In the Domino’s MSL National Cup, it is a repeat of last weekend’s game in Cork, as two potential first-time cup winners in Ballincollig and Limerick Celtics lock horns. Limerick Celtics are in their maiden season in the Super League and are looking to keep their dream alive against the league leaders, who they defeated on the opening day of the season. Head coach Tony Hehir is aware of the huge challenge awaiting his side this weekend. “This is huge for our club and our young Super League men’s team. We lost a close league game last weekend in MTU, but we know that we are up against a very talented and experienced Ballincollig side on Friday night”.

For Ballincollig, since their opening weekend defeat to Celtics, they have lost just the one game this season. Their offensive trio of Latrell Jossell, Latavious Mitchell and Josh Steel are averaging at least 15 points per game.

Speaking ahead of the fixture Ballincollig’s player/coach Ciaran O’Sullivan stated: “Our two league encounters with Limerick Celtics have both been incredibly close, so there’s no doubt the game will go down to the wire. That being said, we have played our best basketball of the season in the cup so far, and we are hopeful we can deliver another top performance”.

UCD Marian preparations have been dealt a blow with injuries to their two pros - Tanner Graham and Mihael Linde - ahead of their semi-final against Garvey’s Tralee Warriors.

UCD Marian head coach Ioannis Liapakis admits the task with be difficult. “Unfortunately we have same major injuries as our two professionals (Tanner Graham and Mihael Linde) are out for the next five weeks and that makes our mission extremely difficult, especially against a great team like Tralee. They’re very experienced and well coached. We know that we’re not the favourites and we don’t have any pressure but we’re going to prepare as hard as possible and give our best shot on Saturday.”

UCD Marian are looking to lift their first Pat Duffy Cup since 2010/11, while Garvey’s Tralee Warriors won their maiden Cup title under John Dowling in 2021/22.

“UCD are pretty similar to ourselves, they have guys that can all score the ball, good depth from the bench that with Tanner (Graham) and (Joshua) Reynolds they can hurt you in a variety of ways”, Dowling stated.

John Dowling, Garvey's Tralee Warriors head coach

In the Domino’s MD1 National Cup semi-finals, Templeogue will face 2023/24 Presidents’ Cup finalists Limerick Sport Eagles, while 2021/22 finalists Drogheda Wolves, who are currently joint top of the Domino's Men's Division One, play Ulster University, who last won the competition in 2022/23. 

In Domino’s WD1 National Cup, current league leaders Cleveland Rockets (8-1) face Templeogue , while second placed Limerick Sport Huskies (7-3) are up against Moy Tolka Rovers in the semi-finals.

The U18 Women's National Cup kicks off proceedings at Neptune Stadium on Friday night, with Limerick Celtics taking on Templeogue at 6pm, the other tie in the competition Kilkenny Stars versus Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell is at Parochial Hall on Sunday at 1.30pm.

It's a Friday night start for the U20 Women's National Cup too, with a Cork derby as Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell face Glanmire at 7pm at Parochial Hall, the second semi-final pits Tralee Magic and Templeogue at 11am on Sunday in the same venue.

The IWA National Cup semi-final between Rebel Wheelers and Clonaslee is the opening game at MTU Arena on Saturday at 10am, as the Cork outfit chase a seventh Cup title in a row. It's the same tip off time and same venue for the semi-final between Titans Basketball and South East Swifts WCB on Sunday.

Saturday's action at MTU Arena continues with back-to-back U18 Men's Billy Coffey National Cup with St. Brendan's Tralee facing Portlaoise Panthers at 1230, followed at 3pm by Dublin Lions versus Oblate BC.

The U20 Men's National Cup Neptune face Portlaoise Panthers at 11am at Neptune Stadium on Sunday, while it's Titans against Éanna at 1215 on the same day at MTU Arena.

The NICC Women's National Cup start proceedings at 11am on Saturday at Neptune Stadium, as St. Mary's Castleisland face Liffey Celtics, the Kildare outfit are chasing a third title in four years, having lost out in the final last season. Fr. Mathews take on Killester in the second semi-final at Parochial Hall on Saturday at 1230.

Saturday's action at Parochial Hall begins with the NICC Men's National Cup, as Ongar Chasers come up against Killester at 10am. The second semi-final is on Sunday,  with Phoenix Belfast facing Neptune at 1.30pm at Neptune Stadium.

All National League Cup games will be broadcast live this weekend on BITV. Buy spectator tickets here.