With the majority of teams off for Christmas already there are just three games up for decision in the Men’s Super League this weekend. Six of the top seven teams are in action and results this weekend could have a major impact on the title race post-Christmas.
Belfast Star v Garvey’s Tralee Warriors (Saturday, De La Salle, 18.30)
League leaders Tralee Warriors face their longest trip of the season as they head north to Belfast to face Star. In the first meeting of the teams back in September, Tralee were able to come out on top 93-86. American Keith Jumper caused problems for Star on the day with an impressive double double but coach Pat Price won’t be able to call on his services this time as he has been replaced by Andre Berry. Berry made his debut in a hard-fought win away to UCD Marian last weekend and he showed touches of ability that could cause Belfast issues. The difference in the first game was the depth of scoring available to Tralee with multiple players chipping in. For Belfast at home this weekend, they will need to limit Paul Dick and Eoin Quigley but also find a way to get balanced scoring and not rely fully on Delaney Blaylock. Star have only dropped one game in Belfast this season and home court advantage could be a big factor. A win for Tralee would be a big statement in their quest to defend their league title, this is definitely one to watch.
UCD Marian v Griffith College Templeogue (Saturday, UCD Sports Centre, 19.00)
For the third time this season the two south Dublin foes will go head to head. Both teams are coming into the game on the back of home losses and both will see this as a must win game. Templeogue have gotten the better of Marian in both previous contests and will be expecting to do so again this weekend. UCD are a tough matchup, particularly in UCD, and they know their season depends on getting a positive result. In the Cup game between the teams, Lorcan Murphy was unstoppable as the game was blown wide open in the second quarter. The league game was more balanced but a key second quarter swing again Templeogue saw them move from five points behind to leading at the break. Templeogue have greater depth in scoring but UCD have a lot of physicality and bodies to throw at them. Jason Killeen for Templeogue has been finding form recently and if he has a big impact this weekend, Templeogue will expect the points.
Keane’s Supervalu Killorglin v DBS Eanna (Saturday, Killorglin Sports Centre, 19.15)
Killorglin have been the form team in the country for the last month with some fantastic wins over Tralee, Killester and a dramatic overtime win last weekend against Neptune. Killorglin is one of the toughest venues in the country to travel to and play and this will test a DBS Eanna team that have shown title winning ability in the first half of the season. It’s often games like this on the road that determine whether a team are in contention for the silverware at the end of the season and this is a huge challenge for Darren McGovern’s side. Allan Thomas has hit his full stride in recent weeks and is a force to be reckoned with for the hosts and his matchup with either Joshua Wilson or Stefan Zecevic could decide this game. Neither team will likely play more than seven players so it will be a case of which teams’ stars can perform best. Eanna have shown some of the best basketball in the country so far this year but Killorglin is the type of place you don’t always get to showcase that ability, and come into the game boasting a seven-game winning streak in their home court. This will be a great test and will show whether Killorglin are to be considered at the top table of if Eanna really have title credentials.
