Preview: MSL National Cup final rematch sees Ballincollig face Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in Domino’s Men’s Super League

Two full rounds of games will take place this weekend in the Domino’s Men’s Super League that brings games that could affect both ends of the table. The first game of the weekend sees a rematch of the Domino’s MSL National Cup final as Garvey’s Tralee Warriors host Ballincollig. Warriors hold two games in hand on most of the sides above them, and they could potentially enter the top four should they win both of those games. Head coach John Dowling is prepared for the visit of Ballincollig.

Dowling said “ We are looking forward to playing at home after a long road trip. We need to be the best version of ourselves if we are going to contend with the cup champions and that’s all we are focused on”.

Warriors will also welcome EJ Sligo All-Stars on Sunday, an All-Stars side who will be desperate for a result in the fight for survival. For Ballincollig, they find themselves level for second with Killester with five games left to play. This weekend, they only face Warriors with their second game against UCC Demons not taking place until next Thursday. They will be hoping for a slip up on Killester’s side as they look to be the side to chase Belfast Star at the top of the table.

One game separates FIVE teams at the foot of the Domino’s Men’s Super League standings 🥶

Which team is mostly likely to suffer the drop right now?

▪️Energywise Ireland Neptune
▪️EJ Sligo All-Stars
▪️Limerick Celtics
▪️UCC Demons
▪️Flexachem KCYMS#DominosMSL |… pic.twitter.com/yXoPq76aCW

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) February 10, 2026

Just one game separates the bottom five sides in the Domino’s Men’s Super League. Out of the five, one side will make the playoffs in eighth, currently occupied by UCC Demons and one side will be relegated, which as it stands will be Energywise Ireland Neptune. Neptune travel to Killester on Saturday in the hopes they can overtake any of Sligo, Killorglin, Limerick Celtics or UCC Demons. Killester’s head coach Jonathan Grennell says that although Neptune have struggled, they still pose a wary challenge.

Grennell said “ It hasn’t been easy for Neptune. They’ve dealt with injuries, changes to both pro players and coaches. They took a lot of pride in the performance against Sligo. They played fast and together. That is the Neptune DNA and what has made them so successful in the past. Mike Hayes and Sam Henderson are gelling nicely along with Greg Adon, so they will pose a major threat on Saturday”.

The win on Saturday could be vital as they take on fellow relegation battlers Flexachem KCYMS on Sunday afternoon in what could be classified as a “six-pointer”. Elsewhere at the bottom of the table, Killorglin face two possible relegation candidates this weekend. Including the game on Sunday against Neptune, Killorglin will also welcome EJ Sligo All-Stars to Kerry on Saturday. 

Level with UCC Demons, Limerick Celtics will be playing on Friday and Saturday this week as they travel to Dublin first to face St. Vincent’s, who have struggled for form in recent weeks.. That game will be followed by a home fixture on Saturday against another Dublin side as they prepare to face UCD Marian in UL Arena.

Two wins for Tony Hehir’s men would see them level with their opponents on Friday in St. Vincent’s, who also have to take on the side at the top of the table in Belfast Star on Sunday. After the weekend concludes, Celtics will also have a game in hand to play against Tralee in the near future that could potentially push them further up the table and away from the drop-zone.

Back towards the top of the table, Killester will follow up their game at home to Neptune with a trip to the UCD Sports Centre to face UCD Marian on Sunday. Marian are not too far away from making noise towards the top three. Currently sat in fourth spot and three wins off of Killester, a double gameweek could change everything and leave Marian in touching distance of a better placed finish to the regular season, which could prove valuable come playoff time.

Level with UCD Marian in fourth, is Griffith College Éanna. Éanna hold the advantage over Marian, with an extra game to play after this weekend has concluded. Éanna face two difficult challenges this weekend, facing league leaders Belfast Star on Saturday, followed by a rejuvenated UCC Demons side, who have won four of their last five games in the league. Head Coach of Éanna, Gareth Winders says there is still a long way to go before the season is decided.

Winders said “ Star are the in-form team and will look to continue that through the weekend. We have had some unnecessary disruptions in recent weeks. However, the players have been brilliant and have stepped up. They are ready for the games this weekend.”

Winders added “The Neptune was a very unfortunate situation but Cian Heaphys welfare had to be put first and everyone here at Éanna basketball wishes him a speedy recovery. That situation leaves us a game in hand that we will look to close out. There is still a lot of basketball to play before playoff places are set”.

All 11 Domino’s Men’s Super League fixtures this weekend will be shown live and exclusive on BITV.