National League

Jan 08 2026

Killester hoping Haiby return could prevent mid-season slip in Domino’s Women’s Super League

Killester will need to avoid a post cup slump as they look to make it back-to-back wins over UCC Glanmire, just eight days after defeating the Crok side to reach the Domino's WSL National Cup final.

Killester have won three of their last four league games, however, the injury loss of star Samantha Haiby saw them slip to defeat to FloMAX Liffey Celtics. Head coach Mark Grennell is unsure if Haiby will be at 100% this weekend but is confident in the squad available to get the job done and maintain their spot at the summit of the Women’s Super League table.

“ Sam is obviously key to us, the point guard might be the most important position on the court these days in basketball. To lose her with no practice or reps for her replacements was difficult, but those players started to figure it out late on against Liffey. If they have to do it again this weekend, they will be more prepared and we will be better for it over the course of the season. Everyone faces challenges throughout a season, navigating those together is part of the fun as a team and for the coaches”.

Mark Grennell, Head Coach, Killester

For Glanmire, they will be hoping the home advantage in the Mardyke will push them over the line to get revenge for the semi-final defeat last weekend. Glanmire currently sit in fourth with a 6-4 record but could potentially be level with as high as second place depending on results elsewhere.

Utility Trust St. Paul’s Killarney are one of the sides currently level with Brunell in second place. Killarney welcome Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers, who are fresh off of just their second victory of the season after they defeated the winless Catalyst Fr. Mathews. The win was the Panthers first since week one of the season. Killarney have managed to edge their way back towards the higher end of the table after two straight losses were followed by wins over Brunell and Waterford to get them to 6-3 for the season.

Catalyst Fr. Mathews are now 0-10 this season and relegation is looking increasingly inevitable for the Cork side. This weekend, they hope to grab that elusive first victory when they travel to Colaiste Iosagain to face Trinity Meteors. Meteors have just one win in their last four which could give Fr. Mathews hope as they prepare to face Irish international Hazel Finn, who finished second in the December player of the month voting.

FloMAX Liffey Celtics have rejuvenated their season in recent weeks Their 5-5 record is a vast improvement after starting the season with four straight defeats. Liffey will host SETU Waterford Wildcats on Saturday, who themselves are struggling with one victory in their last three fixtures. Both sides are locked at 5-5 through ten games this season, but a win for either side could see them potentially enter the top four depending on results for Trinity and Glanmire this weekend. December coach of the month Hillary Netsiyanwa is aware of the dangers Waterford possess but feels a return to Leixlip will play a factor in Liffey getting their sixth victroy of the season.

“ With Sarah and Kate Hickey both being healthy and the addition of Alyssa, Tiarra and Sanija, they have so many threats all over the floor so we have got a tough week of preparation to make sure we can compete. It has almost been five weeks since we have played at home so I am looking forward to playing in our home gym”.

Hillary Netsiyanwa, Head Coach, FloMAX Liffey Celtics

On Sunday, Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell could potentially join Killester at the top of the table if Killester slip up in Glanmire, should Brunell secure a win over McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles. Cavan managed to put an end to a winless run when they defeated Trinity Meteors two weeks ago. The victory put two wins between Cavan and Portlaoise to give Eagles a two-win cushion in eighth. For Brunell, they have four victories in their last five and hold a 7-3 record in second. With the division being so tight in the playoff spots, Brunell could either be level with top spot at the end of the weekend or could be potentially as low as fifth pending results elsewhere.

As the race for the playoff spots heats up in the Domino’s Women’s Super League, all the action will unfold live and exclusively on BITV.