National Cup

Nov 05 2026

Domino's MSL National Cup Round One Preview

The defending Domino’s MSL National Cup champions Ballincollig will start their title defence against UCD Marian at the MTU Arena, as six-time champions Killester take on Limerick Eagles in Clontarf. Energywise Ireland Neptune face Belfast Star in the Neptune Stadium, while the 2025/26 finalists Garvey’s Tralee Warriors face Munster rivals Limerick Celtics.

Ballincollig v UCD Marian, Saturday 16:00, MTU Arena

Last season’s Domino’s MSL National Cup winners Ballincollig will take on UCD Marian at the MTU Arena to tip-off their cup defence. Ballincollig have gone 3-3 in the Domino’s Men’s Super League so far this season, beating Limerick Celtics, Killester and Griffith College Éanna along the way. Captain Adrian O’Sullivan leads the Cork side in scoring with 94 points, while new signing AJ Williams has already clocked up 85 points in four games.

“It’s everybody’s favourite time of the year - when all the league records go out the window and nothing else matters, just your one-off match up! We’re excited to start our cup defence at home in MTU,” said Ballincollig captain Adrian O’Sullivan. “Marian will come in full of confidence from their recent big win versus Eagles. Ioannis (Liapakis) will have his group well prepped, and they will come with a plan. We know the threats they pose in the experienced Tanner Graham and an electric Isaiah Taylor who has been lighting up the league recently. The pair along with an aggressive tough minded Irish core - it’s sure to be a battle.”

UCD Marian reached the semi-final of the Domino’s MSL National Cup last year, only to lose to Garvey’s Tralee Warriors by 12 points at Neptune Stadium. The Dublin side became champions of the 2023/24 Domino’s MD1 National Cup, beating Limerick Eagles 91-78 in the final. This year, they sit only one position behind Ballincollig with a 3-3 record in the Domino’s Men’s Super League, with Isaiah Taylor leading their box score with 145 points in six games.

Killester v Limerick Eagles, Saturday 18:00, IWA Clontarf

Killester became champions of the Domino’s MSL National Cup for a sixth time in the 2024/25 season, only to lose in the quarter-finals last season. Killester began the 2026/27 Domino’s Men’s Super League with a 3-0 record but have since lost three games on the trot to leave them in fifth place. Josh Wilson has been crucial to Mike Olson’s side, tallying up 125 points in six games, while their latest signing Kyle Carlesimo has already reached 69 points in only three games.

Limerick Eagles enter the Domino’s MSL National Cup as 2025/26 Domino’s MD1 National Cup champions. The Munster side defeated Drogheda Wolves 83-67 in the final, as Ryan Leonard came out top-scorer on the day. Alex Carlisle, Darragh Horkan and Tobias Christensen were also top-scoring threats for Eagles last year, and have continued their flying form into the 2026/27 Domino’s Men’s Super League season.

Energywise Ireland Neptune v Belfast Star, Saturday 18:45, Neptune Stadium

Energywise Ireland Neptune have drawn Belfast Star in the first round of the Domino’s MSL National Cup, with the sides sitting five places apart in the Domino’s Men’s Super League. Neptune started their league campaign with back-to-back losses, before turning their season around with big wins over Ballincollig, UCC Demons and Killester to bring them to eighth position. Four Neptune players have breached the 100 points mark for the season – Sam Smith, Jalen Hodge, Sean McCarthy and Kendall Taylor – leading the team to average 93.8 points per game.

“After beginning 0-2, we’ve responded by going 3-1 in the last three weeks. We’re learning from our mistakes and doing our best to execute when it matters most,” said Energywise Ireland Neptune head coach Adam Drummond. “Belfast Star are as tough as it gets. They’re silverware favourites this season and have been the last couple of seasons. For us, it’s about running towards the challenge and protecting our house.”

Belfast Star were taken down by EJ Sligo All-Stars in their most recent Domino’s Men’s Super League outing but still sit in third position with a 4-2 record. Adrian Fulton’s men won four games in a row against St Vincent’s, UCC Demons, UCD Marian and Griffith College Éanna, as Shane Bell and Jordan Green lead the box score with a combined 247 points. Irish international Rapolas Buivydas has also hit the ground running, with 18 points and nine rebounds per game. Last season, Belfast Star were knocked out of the Domino’s MSL National Cup by the champions Ballincollig, losing by four points after a late fourth quarter comeback.

Limerick Celtics v Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, Sunday 15:15, Crescent College

The 2023/24 Domino’s MD1 National Cup winners Limerick Celtics take on Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in round one of the Domino’s MSL National Cup, after reaching the semi-finals last year. Ballincollig stopped Celtics in their tracks at the final fourstage of the 2025/26 Domino’s MSL National Cup, after the Limerick side bet UCC Demons and St Vincent’s in the opening rounds.

Limerick Celtics currently sit atop of the Domino’s Men’s Super League, with only one loss to their name in the opening six games. Sebastian Cole leads the scoring charts for Limerick Celtics, while Tiras Morton leads the league in assists, rebounds and steals. Garvey’s Tralee Warriors currently sit in ninth place with a 3-3 record, as Alec Millender and Jaden Daughtry lead the points tally for the Kerry side with 137 and 107 respectively. Garvey’s Tralee Warriors ventured all the way to the Domino’s MSL National Cup final last year; however, a tough Ballincollig side boasted a 104-77 win to defeat the 2021/22 champions.

Limerick Celtics dismantled Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in their recent Domino’s Men’s Super League contest, as the Limerick side ran away 88-69 winners. Celtics began the contest with a high-scoring 27-point quarter, before taking a commanding 14-point lead into the second half. Limerick Celtics didn’t stop the onslaught there, as they outscored Tralee Warriors 22-14 in the third quarter, before eventually leading by 27 in the final period. Tralee Warriors attempted a late comeback and bridged the gap to 15, but Tony Hehir’s men closed the game out to win by 19 points on the road.