Storm Emma's arrival last week ensured the country's sport came to a standstill as pitches became unplayable and attendance impossible for traveling fans. The subsequent rescheduling has resulted in a widespread squeeze which in the case of Basketball Ireland's men's Super League, has set up an enthralling title race at the end of the season.
With six days left, there are currently five teams still within a chance of finishing top. With 12 teams in the entire league, it means any of Black Amber Templeogue, Pyrobel Killester, Griffith College Swords Thunder, Garveys Tralee Warriors or UCD Marian are still in the hunt as there are only 3 points separating the top five.
On Tuesday evening, Killester defeated Templeogue to move level on points with UCD Marian and Tralee.
A Wonderful performance from the men in orange sees Killester take a 92-63 victory over @templeogue_bc and a huge step towards earning at least a share of first place in the league. The #OrangeArmy go marching on. See you Saturday! @BballIrl pic.twitter.com/cUFQDkalin
— Killester Basketball Club (@KillesterBball) March 6, 2018
MARCH MADNESS IN 🍀. What a week it promises to be in Irish basketball. Never before in Superleague history has it been all on the line for 5 teams with days to go in the season. 3 huge games between the top 5 this week in Dublin #thisissuper @offtheball @RTEsport @ExaminerSport pic.twitter.com/u5PtruxiqE
— Kieran Donaghy (@starryboy14) March 6, 2018
In the last five days of the league, everyone has two games left. Included in those games are UCD Marian vs Griffith College Swords Thunder (second vs fourth) Templeogue vs Tralee (fifth vs third) and Griffith College vs Templeogue (fourth versus fifth).
If there is a tie, it will go to a one-game playoff in a neutral venue to decide the winner. However, if there is a tie involving more than one team it becomes more problematic. FIBA points difference calculations will determine who comes first/second/third and a playoff will still happen. It will see third against second in a semi-final and first goes straight to the final. Again, this would be in a neutral venue.
The full list of fixtures is available here, while tonight's match will be streamed live on Basketball Ireland's Facebook.
To have just a quarter of the league still in contention this close to the end of the season would be impressive, but to have almost half the league all with a chance to secure top spot is an extraordinary feat.
With a finish this exciting, Basketball Ireland is unquestionably where it is at this coming week.
