National League

Jan 22 2026

Preview: Player/coach O’Sullivan says Ballincollig’s Domino’s MSL National Cup success has “put a target on our backs”

Ballincollig player/coach Ciaran O’Sullivan says last week’s Domino’s MSL National Cup win “has put a target on our backs”. His side were hugely impressive in their 104-77 victory over Garvey’s Tralee Warriors last Saturday, to claim the club’s first Pat Duffy Cup.

Focus turns swiftly to the Domino’s Men’s Super League clash with Energwise Ireland Neptune, who find themselves in a relegation dogfight. O’Sullivan’s side are joint-top of the table, but feels his side will in for a tough battle in the Cork derby at MTU Arena on Saturday.

“Neptune are riding a wave of renewed energy after their impressive win over UCC Demons. They've bolstered the squad with three strong professional additions, and combined with talented young Irish core, there's real potential for them to climb the table as the season progresses”, O’Sullivan said.

He added: “We know our monumental victory last week has put a target on our backs, so we'll need to stay focused, prepare thoroughly, and continue driving the high standards we've set for ourselves.”

Ballincollig player/coach Ciarán O'Sullivan in action during the Domino's MSL National Cup final against Garvey's Tralee Warriors.

Energywise Ireland Neptune are locked in a relegation battle with local rivals UCC Demons, they’re currently joint-bottom at 3-10. Head coach Ciaran Kiveney was full of praise for Ballincollig’s cup-winning performance at the weekend.

Kiveney said “After the performance Ballincollig put in last week, we know we have to be on top of our game. 53% from three as a team is phenomenal in itself in a cup final. Even before the cup final, we knew the Ballincollig game was going to be difficult, they play a very well-balanced style of basketball. We have had two weeks to prepare for this game and have been working on what we feel we need to improve on, as well as what way we will try to disrupt their offence and defence”.

Belfast Star are alongside Ballincollig on 10-3 records at the summit, they make the long journey to Limerick to face the Celtics this weekend, looking for their 11^th win of the season, and to keep pace with Ballincollig. Head coach Adrian Fulton has confirmed Conor Quinn will miss out on Sunday’s fixture, whilst Irish international Rapolas Buivydas is also a major doubt due to injury.

When asked about absentees for this weekend, Fulton said: “We will be without Conor Quinn due to work commitments. Rapolas Buivydas has picked up an injury and is very doubtful for the weekend. We won’t risk him if he isn’t fully fit. Every team must deal with injuries and illness throughout the season. The depth of our squad is definitely a plus factor for us and that will certainly be tested this Sunday. Limerick have had no problems adjusting to life in the Super League. They are definitely much better than their record suggests and gave us a great battle in Belfast earlier in the season. They are a well-balanced team with a lot of size, so rebounding the ball will be at a premium”.

For the Celtics, they picked up a win last time out against EJ Sligo All-Stars to stand alone in the final playoff spot in eighth, with a record of 5-8. AJ Williams currently leads the league in total points scored and will be hoping to keep that form going to push the promoted side to a playoff berth in their first season in the Domino’s Men’s Super League.

Another battle taking place in the race for the playoff spots, sees sixth place St. Vincent’s welcoming fourth-placed Griffith College Éanna. Just one win separates the two sides, with Éanna at 8-5 and Vincent’s at 7-6. Vincent’s will be hoping to get the one to go level with Éanna in the hope of securing a home quarter-final in the playoffs.

Meanwhile Éanna will be looking to extend their cushion in fourth spot to two wins, depending on how results fare for fifth-spot UCD Marian, who travel to Sligo this weekend. Gareth Winders side have just one win in their last three.

Killester will face Flexachem KCYMS this weekend in the IWA, with both sides desperately needing a win for different reasons. Killorglin need the win to prevent further slipping into potential relegation trouble. Four straight defeats has seen them fall to tenth in the Domino’s Men’s Super League and just one win above both UCC Demons and Neptune.

For Killester, their recent form has been quite the opposite to KCYMS, with four wins in their last four games, putting them in a commanding position for a home quarter-final at 9-4 so far. Jonathan Grennell’s side could potentially see themselves closing on the top spot in the table, depending on results elsewhere.

Similar to Killorglin, EJ Sligo All-Stars have endured a difficult few weeks, losing five straight and now see themselves dangerously close to getting pulled into the battle at the foot of the table. The positive for the All-Stars, is that they are also just one win behind Limerick Celtics, who occupy that final playoff spot. This weekend, All-Stars welcome UCD Marian, who are 7-6 in the table, in fifth position. Marian will be looking to get their season back on track, after two wins were followed by two losses, against Éanna and Garvey’s Tralee Warriors. A win for Marian keeps them well poised with the chasing pack for that home quarter-final for finishing in the top four.

UCC Demons will be hoping to take a step away from the bottom when they take on Garvey’s Tralee Warriors on Sunday, who are reeling from a Domino’s MSL National Cup final defeat to Ballincollig. Warriors have an advantage this weekend with a game in hand on the other two sides with seven wins. That game in hand will be played midweek next week when they host Limerick Celtics. Demons will be looking to put a bit of space between themselves and Neptune this weekend by getting their fourth win of the season coming off of their 88-74 win over Flexachem KCYMS in their most recent game of the season.

Fixtures

Domino’s Men’s Super League

Saturday 24^th January

Ballincollig v Energywise Ireland Neptune, MTU Arena, 4pm

Killester v Flexachem KCYMS, IWA, 7:15pm

St. Vincent’s v Griffith College Éanna, St. Vincent’s Glasnevin, 7:30pm

EJ Sligo All-Stars v UCD Marian, Mercy College, 7:30pm

Sunday 25^th January

Limerick Celtics v Belfast Star, UL Arena, 3pm

UCC Demons v Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, Mardyke Arena, 3:30pm

Domino’s Men’s Division One

Friday 23^rd January