National League

Jan 29 2026

Preview: McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles enjoying “hugely positive” first season in Domino’s Women’s Super League

Domino’s Women’s Super League joint-leaders Utility Trust St. Paul’s must avoid a huge banana skin in the form of high-flying McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles if they’re to maintain pace at the top of the standings entering February.

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles have entered a purple patch of form and won their last three games to move to 6-6 for the season. They’ve been handed a boost ahead of the trip to Kerry, with former Irish U18 international Ciara Tolan set to return for John Stephens side. Stephens is ready to put the good relationship between the clubs to one side in order to continue their winning run.

“We have really enjoyed the season so far and it’s been hugely positive,” said Stephens. We are excited about the trip to Killarney and the challenge of facing the joint league leaders. There is a strong relationship between ourselves and St. Paul’s, built on respect and friendship, but we are definitely expecting another high intensity battle this weekend”.

Killarney have managed to get their season back on track by winning their last four games after two losses, including an overtime victory against SETU Waterford Wildcats. Their 9-3 record has moved them into joint-top with Killester and can call on a fully fit squad for the first time this season. Head coach James Fleming is wary of the threats Eagles possess:

“What John has done for the town is nothing short of remarkable. Our rivalry on the floor is a healthy one, but we will have to be at our very best to win this one. We are happy with our run as of late, but one or two losses and you are back in the chasing pack”.

On the threats of Eagles, Fleming added: “Cavan have threats from everywhere and are shooting very well from the three-point line, they have a lot of talent so we will have to work hard on stopping their transition”.

Trinity Meteors have endured a rather difficult last month in the Domino’s Women’s Super League. Since the end of December, they’ve won just one game and sit in fourth-spot alongside Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell with a 7-5 record. This weekend, they host FloMAX Liffey Celtics and will hope for a repeat of the reverse fixture earlier this season, where they ran out 11-point winners.

For Celtics, Hilary Netsiyanwa’s side are looking to recover from a few tough weeks themselves. They backed up their Domino’s WSL National Cup final defeat to Killester with a 20-point defeat to UCC Glanmire last weekend. A win for Celtics would see them go level with their opponents in the table at 7-6. However, a win for Meteors on Saturday would be a major step towards the final home playoff spot in the table.

Joint-league-leaders Killester didn’t let the Domino’s WSL National Cup celebrations affect their performance last week as they defeated old rivals Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell in overtime. Next up is a trip to Cork, as they prepare to take on winless Catalyst Fr. Mathews. A win for Killester could potentially give them the outright top position in the table depending on the result in Killarney.

The shining positive for Fr. Mathews has been the consistent form of Laila Blair. Blair currently leads the league in points scored and is second in points per game, with just over 26 points. Jamie Barry’s side need to start picking up wins fast in order to maintain their Domino’s Women’s Super League status. Their nearest competitors Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers, currently hold a two-win advantage in the table.

Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers two wins this season have come against Fr. Mathews, with the Panthers sat at 2-10 in the table, four wins away from the playoff spots, This weekend, they head south to Cork to face UCC Glanmire, who took sole possession of third place last weekend with their victory over FloMAX Liffey Celtics.

Mark Scannell’s team have been on a steady rise through the table, winning six of their last seven games to reach third spot after Brunell’s loss last weekend saw them slip to fourth place in the table. Scannell said that despite the Panthers record on paper, they have been very competitive:

“They always play hard and have good players. They have struggled this year but have been very competitive in many of those losses. We prepare properly and give them the respect they deserve and make sure that we are ready to compete”.

“They have very good pro’s who are capable of putting up good numbers and Lynn Tunnah can play. She is a senior international and is one of the best shooters in the league. We need to be at it defensively”.

After last week’s loss to Killester, Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell will be looking to get their season back on track as they prepare to welcome the visit of SETU Waterford Wildcats. Brunell have won just one of their last four outings and has seen them fall to fourth place, now two wins away from the league leaders.

For Wildcats, last weekend’s victory over Trinity Meteors was their first in four games too. One major standout last week was the performance of Irish international Sarah Hickey, who had 33 points and 11 rebounds. A win for Wildcats could potentially see them go level with both Brunell and potentially fourth spot depending on results elsewhere. For Brunell, a win this Saturday seems vital if they want to keep up with the crowd at the summit of the table.

All Domino’s Women’s Super League fixtures will be broadcast live and exclusively on BITV.

Fixtures

Domino’s Women’s Super League

Saturday 31^st January

Utility Trust St. Pauls Killarney v McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles, Aura, 5pm

Catalyst Fr. Mathews v Killester, Fr. Mathews Arena, 5pm

Trinity Meteors v FloMAX Liffey Celtics, Trinity Sports Centre, 5:30pm

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell v SETU Waterford Wildcats, GCU Arena Parochial Hall, 7pm

Sunday 1^st February

UCC Glanmire v Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers, Mardyke Arena, 1:30pm

Domino’s Women’s Division One

Saturday 31^st January