On Sunday, in-form UCC Demons entertain a Moycullen side desperate to get their second win of the season.
UCD Marian are hopeful of better luck on the injury front after a flu bug wiped out the majority of the squad prior to their defeat last weekend to UCC Demons.
Their clash with Ulster Elks on Saturday comes just a week before the sides meet in the semi finals of the National Cup.
“A potential mental factor in Saturday’s game is the issue that the two teams meet again in the Cup semi final within 8 days,” said UCD Head Coach Fran Ryan. “We must separate the two as one of our key objectives is to get a quarter final play-off spot in the Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague [preferably at home] so this game is also hugely important.”
Ulster Elks are worrying over the availability of Kevin Foley and Ciaran MacEvilly ahead of their trip to Dublin, while Barry Drumm is ruled out after suffering an ankle injury in the club’s last outing.
“Last time out UCD out played us on both ends of the court, this weekend we will need to bring more intensity and energy in order to compete,” said Elks Assistant Coach Patrick O’Neill. “UCD are very strong at home and there will be added interest as we will be playing each other in the cup semi-final the following week.”
On Sunday, UCC Demons can make it three wins in a row if they can inflict more misery on Moycullen.
“This is a crucial game for us,” said Demons Head Coach Paul Kelleher. “Moycullen are going to be tough opposition. They have been close in a number of games this year and have a number of threats in Cian Nihill, Stephen Tummons and Mason Ambler.
“If we let them get into their stride like we did at Moycullen they are very capable of punishing us and we don’t want to find ourselves in the same situation as we did back in October as we will surely suffer a different faith.”
Moycullen, who are looking for their second win of the season, are likely to be without star Cian Nihill, who suffered an injury in their recent loss to UL Eagles.
“Our scoring power was very limited against UL with Mason Ambler and Stephen Tummon having off days,” said Moycullen Head Coach Enda Byrt. “Mike Dowd at the point was the only player to really step up. We had a very healthy half time lead against Demons at home but Paul Kelleher has fashioned a very effective team and we can only hope for a revival.”
The game of the weekend in the IrishSport.TV Women’s SuperLeague is the meeting of DCU Mercy and UL on Saturday evening.
UL atoned for their National Cup loss to DCU Mercy when they recorded a 62-52 win in the league before Christmas. “We would rather not be playing them so soon after the last game but it should prove to be a great run out for the cup,” said DCU Mercy Head Coach Mark Ingle.
“They are playing a very physical brand of basketball and will be extremely tough opponents.”
UL coach James Weldon hopes to have last years leading scorer Rachel Vanderwal available for selection for the first time this season. Vanderwal has been sidelined since pre-season and Weldon was pleased to have her back in contention. “We don’t know how long she will be able to play for yet, but it’s great to have her back. She was the leading scorer in the league last season.”
Amanda O’Regan is ruled out, while Grainne Dwyer is a doubt for Team Montenotte Hotel Cork as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season against 11890 Killester.
“We played 11890 Killester on the first day of the season and they weren’t ready,” said Montenotte Head Coach Mark Scannell. “They come to Cork on a good run and I expect a far tougher test. It’s great to have a game in the Neptune Stadium so close to the National Cup semi finals.”
BASKETBALL IRELAND UPCOMING FIXTURES
Saturday January 08 2011
Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague
DCU Saints (Dublin) v UL Eagles (Limerick), DCU Sports Complex, 15:00; UCD Marian (Dublin) v Ulster Elks (Belfast), UCD Sports Centre, 19:00; 11890 Killester (Dublin) v Belfast Star (Belfast), IWA Clontarf, 20:00
IrishSport.TV Women’s SuperLeague
Waterford Wildcats (Waterford) v Meteors (Dublin), Mercy Secondary School, 18:00; DCU Mercy (Dublin) v UL (Limerick), DCU Sports Complex, 18:00; Team Montonette Hotel Cork (Cork) v 11890 Killester (Dublin), Neptune Stadium, 16:45
Basketball Ireland Men’s Division One
Neptune (Cork) v Titans (Galway), Neptune Stadium, 19:00; Team Loftus Recycling Ballina (Mayo) v Team Meadowlands St.Brendans (Tralee, Kerry), Ballina Sports and Leisure Centre, 19:30; Tolka Rovers (Dublin) v Team Garvey’s St.Marys (Castleisland, Kerry), Tolka Rovers Sports Complex, 19:30; Maree (Galway) v Waterford (Waterford), Calasanctius College, 19:45
Basketball Ireland Women’s Division One
UL (Limerick) v Thurles Knights (Tipperary), PESS Building UL, 16:00; Foireann na Gaillimhe (Galway) v Liffey Celtics (Dublin), Calasanctius College, 16:30
Sunday January 09 2011
Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague
UCC Demons (Cork) v Moycullen (Galway), Mardyke Arena, 15:15
IrishSport.TV Women’s SuperLeague
Meteors (Dublin) v Black Forge Oblate Dynamos (Dublin), Colaiste Eoin/Iosagain, 15:00
Basketball Ireland Men’s Division One
Blue Demons (Cork) v CHM Ballon (Dublin), Mardyke Arena, 13:00
Basketball Ireland Women’s Division One
Meteors (Dublin) v Team Tom McCarthy’s St. Mary’s (Castleisland, Kerry), Colaiste Eoin/Iosagain, 13:00
Wednesday January 12 2011
IrishSport.TV Women’s SuperLeague
DCU (Dublin) v Meteors (Dublin), DCU Sports Complex, 20:30
