Preview: Killester need to be “sharp” in preparation for Domino’s Women’s Super League Playoff Semi-Final

Avoiding "wasted possessions" is the key if Killester are going to maintain their charge towards a third Domino's Women's Super League crown in succession on Saturday, according to head coach, Mark Grennell.

The Orange and Black earned their place in the last four with an 11-point victory against McEvoy's Cavan Eagles, but Grennell understands that they'll need to take things to another level if Trinity Meteors are to be brushed aside in three days time. 

Speaking on last weekend’s result, Grennell said “It was a tough battle last weekend, Cavan gave us all we could handle. We are delighted to have gone through. Our defence was excellent and our work rate was as good as it has been for a while now so that all bodes well. We do need to find the balance to have our offence match our defence”.

Examining the challenge ahead, Grennell added “ The team are looking to the semi-final now against Trinity Meteors and we know the size of the task. They are a very good side, who have two good Americans and are led by one of the best Irish players in the league in Hazel Finn. They boast a top defence which means we will have to be sharp in what we do with the ball. We cannot afford to waste possessions. If we can shoot the ball better than we did last week, it will help unlock some more of our offence and gives us a better chance”.

The North Dubliners have been dealt a boost as Samantha Haiby looks like she’s returning to her best form following an absence due to injury. The former finals MVP scored 18 points, getting seven rebounds and adding five assists in the quarter-final win. 

Trinity Meteors held on despite a late comeback last weekend from SETU Waterford Wildcats to progress with a 72-69 triumph. Killester’s Grennell noted Hazel Finn for her quality on the court, which she displayed last time out with a 15-point, eight-rebound, seven-assist stat line to get Meteors over the line. Both sides will be looking to break the deadlock, having got a win each over the other in the regular season, Killester picked up a 76-65 win over Meteors in February, whilst Meteors edged a nine-point victory over Killester back in November.

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FloMAX Liffey Celtics pulled off the upset of the weekend last Sunday, when they defeated second seed Utility Trust St. Pauls Killarney 71-65 in Aura Killarney. Their reward this weekend is a trip to the Mardyke Arena, hoping to pull of another shock when they face third seed UCC Glanmire. Celtics head coach Hillary Netisyanwa is excited about the prospect of another upset being on the cards.

Talking about Glanmire, Netsiyanwa said “We are looking forward to the game this weekend. Glanmire have had a very impressive run of games and won the season series against us, so we are very aware of the challenge ahead. Mark has built a roster that complements each other really well. Aine (McKenna)  and Claire (O’Sullivan) are still some of the best players in the league, and they have two of the most dangerous scorers in the country in Jewel (Watkins) and Viane (Cumber).

About Celtics performance, Netsiyanwa continued “ We need to go into this week with a shared vision, trust the work we have put in all year, and make a few smart tweaks. The girls are in a good place and we are excited for it”.

UCC Glanmire secured a closely-fought victory to advance to the semi-final stage, with an 82-78 win over local rivals Brunell last Saturday. Glanmire come into this game as one of the in-form sides in the Domino’s Women’s Super League, winning six of their last seven games, including last weekend’s triumph against Brunell. Coach Mark Scannell says they will ensure it is business as usual in the Mardyke.

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Scannell said “ We are very happy to be involved in the business end of the season that was our goal after the cup semi-final loss. The players have done everything asked of them and now, we go again against a tough Liffey Celtics team, who have finished the season really well and beat a very good Killarney team last Sunday. We will plan and prepare properly this and be ready for another big test”.

In the Domino’s Women’s Division One, there is another derby on display as Limerick Celtic host Limerick Sport Huskies on Saturday evening in a battle of second versus third for a chance to earn promotion in the Domino’s Women’s Division One final. The other semi-final sees league leaders Cleveland Rockets welcome Templeogue. Rockets squeezed through last weekend after a 77-74 win over University of Galway Mystics whilst Templeogue enjoyed an 83-68 win over Moy Tolka Rovers through a huge 33-point, 13-rebound showing from Sofia Paska.

All of the Semi-Finals this weekend can be seen live and exclusively on BITV.