Preview: Trinity Meteors taking it one game at a time in Domino’s Women’s Super League

Trinity Meteors have struggled to find form in recent weeks, winning just one of their last three fixtures in the Domino’s Women’s Super League. The tests don’t get any easier, as they head to joint-top Killester this weekend. A win could potentially bring Meteors level with third-spot UCC Glanmire. Head Coach Seamas Donnelly was full of praise for Killester.

Speaking on Killester, Donnelly said “ They are an impressive side, to lose a player of Samantha Haiby’s quality, and then replace her whilst keeping their position near the top, its admirable”.

When asked about Playoff hopes, Donnelly responded “It is just one game at a time. I haven’t looked at the maths of it all, I believe we are level with Brunell, but for us, it’s one game at a time and see where we end up”.

Killester picked up their third consecutive league victory last weekend, with a 34-point win over Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers. They are 11-3 for the season and joint-top with Killarney in the table. They will be hoping for results to go their way this weekend and hopefully begin to build a gap by themselves at the top of the league. Head Coach Mark Grennell is glad that both the Men and Women of Killester are flying high in the Super League.

On Killester’s success, “ We have been fortunate as a club over the last number of years to have both our women’s and men’s teams contesting at the top end of the table. Both teams and club members are so supportive of each other and nobody takes anything for granted. We know how quickly things could change, so we just have to keep working”

On Meteors, “ We know first-hand how good they are, having beaten us last time out. We are always looking to improve and this will be a good test of how we have developed as a team over the course of the season”.

UCC Glanmire are looking to join the hunt for the top position in the table when they host Catalyst Fr. Mathews on Saturday evening. Glanmire currently sit two wins behind the top two at 9-5, but despite having three wins in a row, it was upended last weekend with a 93-89 defeat to SETU Waterford Wildcats in a game that went down to the wire. They will be hoping to resume normal service in Glanmire after this Cork derby.

Catalyst Fr. Mathews winless run continues as they still search for that first win of the season. The one constant for Fr. Mathews has been the form of Laila Blair, leading the league in points scored with 352 points this season.

McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles promoted season has been going strength to strength, starting the season 1-4, Eagles won six of their next nine games in the league and find themselves in strong playoff contention. This weekend, Eagles welcome SETU Waterford Wildcats, another side at 7-7 with Eagles in the table. Eagles coach John Stephens is focused on the task at hand rather than end of season time.

Stephens said “We are very much taking it game by game, focusing on making improvements every week. The visit of the Wildcats is another big test, but we are looking forward to the challenge”.

SETU Waterford Wildcats have found a bit of an upturn in form as of late, with two wins in their last three games. Late scores from Irish international Sarah Hickey gave them a four-point victory over UCC Glanmire in a 14-point comeback last weekend. Hickey shot 100% from the field including a three to build a lead for Wildcats at the end of the game. A win here would give them a one-win cushion over Eagles as we enter the final few games of the season.

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Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell will be hoping to enter the top four in the table, with a victory this weekend at home to Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers. Brunell have slipped slightly further down the table in recent weeks, with just one win in their last four games in the Domino’s Women’s Super League. A win for Brunell and possible defeat for Meteors this weekend would see Brunell occupy the final home playoff spot in the table.

The Panthers are struggling near the foot of the table, with just two wins all season for Portlaoise. They have a two-game advantage over Fr. Mathews, who are currently in the relegation spot, but it won’t be a comfortable position to be in until the season has concluded, and they have potentially avoided relegation.

League leaders Utility Trust St. Pauls Killarney enjoyed a 10-point triumph over Trinity Meteors last weekend, keeping them level with Killester at the summit of the table. This weekend, Killarney welcome FloMAX Liffey Celtics, who are level with both Wildcats and Eagles, competing for sixth place. Killarney head coach James Fleming has confirmed a fully fit squad is available for this weekend.

Speaking about Liffey Celtics, Fleming added “ Liffey have a lot of weapons, Aine and Sorcha are two of the best in the country and Kate Williamson has been outstanding over the last few weeks. We are trying to juggle intercounty football with Leah Siofra. So our main goal is to keep everyone fresh for the playoffs”.

For Celtics, Hillary Netsiyanwa’s side picked up a crucial win over Brunell last weekend in their pursuit of a stronger playoff position. The win was Celtic’s first in three league games and their first win since losing the Domino’s WSL National Cup final against Killester. A win for Celtics could possibly see them join Brunell and Meteors in the race for fourth place.

All games in the Domino’s Women’s Super League will be broadcast live on BITV.