Domino's Women's Super League Round Six Preview

Domino’s Women’s Super League leaders SETU Waterford Wildcats face the unbeaten Utility Trust St. Paul’s in Killarney for round six of the league, as defending Domino’s Women’s Super League champions Trinity Meteors host Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell. The in-form FloMAX Liffey Celtics take on bottom of the table Midland’s Park Portlaoise Panthers, Career Decision’s UCC Glanmire face newly promoted Limerick Celtics in a Munster derby and Killester travel north to VSC Cavan Eagles. 

FloMAX Liffey Celtics v Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers, Thursday 20:00, Leixlip Amenities 

FloMAX Liffey Celtics took down the reigning Domino’s Women Super League champions Trinity Meteors in round five, securing a 73-55 win in Leixlip. Liffey Celtics raced to a 28-9 first-quarter lead over Trinity Meteors and held a 21-point advantage at half-time. The lead grew to 25 in the third quarter before Liffey Celtics sealed an 18-point victory.  

Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers recently announced the departure of head coach Ger Jago, as Aaron O’Neill comes in as the role of caretaker head coach for their upcoming fixture. The Laois side have begun the season with a 0-5 record, averaging 55 points per game and conceding an average 76.4 points in each contest. 

Katie Williamson has been a key scoring threat for FloMAX Liffey Celtics this season, averaging over 17 points-per-game, while the returning Brooke Kane follows closely behind with 72 points for the campaign. Alyssa Marie Velles has been the standout star for Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers, topping the sides leaderboards in points and steals for the season. 

VSC Cavan Eagles v Killester, Saturday 15:00, Virginia Show Centre 

VSC Cavan Eagles enter round six of the Domino’s Women’s Super League in second place, following a strong win over Limerick Celtics. Limerick Celtics took a 28-20 lead into the first quarter, but VSC Cavan Eagles fought back to trail by just two at half-time. Cavan Eagles pulled away in the final quarter, going seven points clear with four minutes remaining before securing a nine-point victory. 

Killester won their first game of the Domino’s Women’s Super League season in round five against Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers, bringing them to eighth for the season. Portlaoise Panthers started strong, trailing by just five points after the first quarter; however, Killester went on a scoring spree to lead 42-18 at halftime. The gap widened further in the third quarter, with Killester outscoring Portlaoise Panthers 25-7. Though Portlaoise Panthers won the final quarter by one point, Killester secured a decisive victory. 

“We are rounding into form, albeit a little slower than we would have liked. We have a great group, and we believe we will figure things out when things settle down. The difficulties are probably to be expected when the injury bug bites. It has gotten us good this year. Mimi (Clarke), Sarah (Power), Hannah (Thornton), Laura (McFarland) and now losing Leilani (Turner) to a fractured elbow on Monday is just another one we could have done without,” said Killester head coach Mark Grennell. “VSC Cavan Eagles are going very well so far. Lots of young talented players surrounding great American signings. It’s fantastic to see them thriving in year two at Super League. Hopefully we can hang around Saturday and give them a game.” 

Utility Trust St. Paul’s v SETU Waterford Wildcats, Saturday 16:00, Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre 

Utility Trust St. Paul’s have secured four wins from four in the Domino’s Women’s Super League, leaving them in third place with a game in hand on the teams above. Their recent contest against Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell ended in a conclusive victory for the Kerry side, winning 92-76 in Cork. Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell took an early six-point lead in the first quarter, but Angelina Robles responded with 13 points in the second quarter, putting St. Paul’s ahead 41-35 at halftime. St. Paul’s maintained their momentum, outscoring Brunell by nine points in the third quarter, and secured a 16-point victory. 

SETU Waterford Wildcats currently lead the Domino’s Women’s Super League, with four wins from five, as they took out Career Decisions UCC Glanmire in their recent outing. The Cork side stayed close in the first quarter, trailing Waterford Wildcats by just one point. However, Waterford dominated the second quarter, outscoring Glanmire by 14 points to take a strong lead. The game was decided in the fourth quarter, with Glanmire scoring only seven points compared to Waterford Wildcats’ 24. 

Brooklyn Gray has been the star scorer for SETU Waterford Wildcats, as she leads the league in points, averaging 28.4 points-per-game, and Irish international Sarah Hickey continues to impress, as she sits on 116 points in five games. Angelina Robles leads Utility Trust St. Paul’s in points, scoring 107 in four games, while Paula Reus Piza dominates defensively with 45 rebounds, ten steals and four blocks. 

Trinity Meteors v Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell, Saturday 17:30, Coláiste Íosagáin 

Defending Domino’s Women’s Super League champions Trinity Meteors are positioned in sixth place, following their 18-point loss to FloMAX Liffey Celtics. Anthony Dodson’s side began the season with a narrow win over Career Decisions UCC Glanmire, and have only won one game since that season opener.  

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell led the Domino’s Women’s Super League before round five, but a 16-point loss to Utility Trust St. Paul’s dropped the Cork side to fourth. After their opening day loss, Brunell secured three wins on the trot against Limerick Celtics, Killester and Career Decisions UCC Glanmire.  

Zayn Urbaniak-Dornstauder and Irish international Hazel Finn lead the Trinity Meteors scoring, combining for 138 in five games, with Urbaniak-Dornstauder hitting four double-doubles already. Irish international Edel Thornton has clocked up 82 points and 20 assists for Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell already, while Kayce Vaile has four double-doubles to her name. 

Career Decisions UCC Glanmire v Limerick Celtics, Sunday 13:30, Mardyke Arena 

Career Decisions UCC Glanmire enter round six in ninth place, after picking up only one win in four. Their second-round win over Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers has been followed by 79-64 and 94-58 defeats against Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell and SETU Waterford Wildcats. 

“The last few weeks have been a struggle. Our team is trying to find a new identity and there are some tough lessons along the way,” said Career Decisions UCC Glanmire head coach Mark Scannell. “We will be hoping to turn a corner this week against a tough Limerick squad who have started the season well and picked up a couple of good wins. They have good Americans and an Irish core that are used to winning. Hopefully playing in the Mardyke will give us confidence and give us a chance to get a much-needed win.” 

Newly promoted Limerick Celtics have secured two wins from five to leave them in seventh place overall. Celtics picked up a run of form in week two and three, beating Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers and Killester; however, a nine-point loss to VSC Cavan Eagles stopped their run. Jeni Levine has been the star for Limerick Celtics, scoring 114 points in five contests, and leading the league in assists with 26.