Basketball PreviewsRonan McGarrity is fast becoming the poster boy for Irish basketball. Two months ago he had a choice: International Rules or basketball. After a summer of football with Mayo he decided to focus on his first love.
In fairness, there was no guarantee he would have made the final cut for the International Rules series against Australia, although one suspects the game would suit his abilities perfectly.
He is back now with Ballina and scoring regularly but coach Seán McHale feels there is plenty more to come.
"He is playing very well but I feel he will improve even more in the coming weeks. Although he was super-fit coming from the football he only joined us two weeks before the season started so his shooting is a little bit rusty."
Initially, McHale had targeted a decent cup run and mid-table finish as a satisfactory return for Ballina's first year back in the Superleague. Now, after an unbeaten start to the season, the sights have been set higher.
Tomorrow night they have a chance to go top of the northern conference, outright, when they take on Jerome Westbrooks' Killester, who are also undefeated.
The only problem is McGarrity may be dragging his legs as he lines out in the Mayo football club championship semi-final that afternoon, for Ballina, against Crossmolina at Knockmore.
Also tomorrow night, a big crowd is expected in Tralee for the Kerry derby between the Killarney Lakers and the reigning champions the Tigers.
The Lakers, yet to win this season, suffered another blow this week when 6ft 7ins British born forward Robert Sargeant left the club, while Brian Clarke was injured in training.
Elsewhere, 17-year old Ciarán White is making solid progress despite being part of the struggling Shamrock Rovers Hoops outfit. He lines out against UCD in Belfield.
FIXTURES: Tonight: Men's Superleague: Star of the Sea v St Vincent's, UU Jordanstown, 7.45. Saturday: UCD v Shamrock Rovers Hoops, UCD SC, 7.30; Ballina v Killester, Ballina SC, 8.0; Waterford v Neptune, Waterford IT, 7.30; Tralee Tigers v Killarney Lakers, Tralee SC, 8.0; Limerick Lions v Star of the Sea, UL Arena, 7.30. Women's Superleague: UL Aughinish v Meteors, UL Arena, 5.0; St Paul's v Killester, Presentation, 7.30; Waterford Wildcats v Coolock Mercy, Waterford, 7.30. Sunday: Men's Superleague: UCC Demons v Waterford, Mardyke Arena, 3.15. Women's Superleague: Drimnagh Dynamos v Glanmire, Oblate Hall 3.30.
