BASKETBALL/Weekend Previews: The ESB Superleague resumes this weekend after a brief hiatus for the cup quarter-finals, meaning that four clubs will be eager to put disappointment behind them. For St Vincent's, the cup defeat to Notre Dame was particularly hard to take, but they can expect to make amends against Tralee on Sunday.
While St Vincent's report a clean bill of health, Tralee are still laden with injury problems. The latest casualty is Barnaby Craddock, struggling with back and hip injuries, while John Teahan (back) has not trained for a month. Alan Keane (chest) will also be out of action for another week.
On the back of their cup success, the UCC Demons are at home tonight to champions Waterford Crystal. The Cork club have Brian Clernon struggling with a hamstring injury. Although playing limited court time in recent weeks, he is one of the better Irish players in the men's Superleague this season, topping the bill in terms of rebounds.
Waterford will be releasing Luke Dean this weekend. Padraig Morrissey will also be absent for the Waterford outfit due to work commitments, and with Andrew Piper doubtful with a back injury, Waterford will have another tough weekend.
Notre Dame and Killester are also in action tonight in the ESB Arena, with the same players that brought Cup success last weekend lining out for their clubs.
Elsewhere, Cleotis Brown is welcomed back to the Superleague this weekend as he rejoins Limerick. The 2001 Foreign Player of the Year will now spend his third season with Limerick, where he was a core element to their Cup success of 2002.
Star of the Sea have a busy double-header ahead, travelling to Limerick tomorrow night and onto Killarney for Sunday's clash against Gleneagle Lakers.
FIXTURES: Men's Superleague - Tonight: Mardyke UCC Demons v Waterford Crystal (8.15, Mardyke); Notre Dame v Killester (ESB Arena, 8.15); Tomorrow: UCD Marian v Neptune (UCD, 7.10), Limerick v Star of the Sea (UL, 7.30), Tolka Rovers v Killester (Tolka, 7.45); Sunday: Killarney v Star of the Sea (INEC, 2.0), St Vincent's v Tralee Tigers (3.30, St Vincent's).
Women's Superleague - Tomorrow: Tolka Rovers v Killester (Tolka, 5.30), Wildcats v Tipperary Talons (Mercy Convent, 7.0). Drimnagh v St Paul's (Oblate Hall, 7.0), University of Limerick v Glanmire (UL, 5.0).
