Basketball: Superleague National Cup finalIn the women's Superleague final Team Montenotte meet defending champions UL Aughinish on Sunday at 1pm.
It's hard to see past the Limerick club retaining the cup, as they proved in the semi-finals they are no longer reliant on Michelle Aspell.
The Ireland international moved with coach Tony Hehir to the Waterford Wildcats at the start of the season but both were denied a place in Sunday's final by their former club's brilliance.
Jillian Aherne continues to captain the team and along with another international, Dearbhla Breen, is seeking a fourth medal.
In taking on the added responsibility entailed by Aspell's departure, Breen has, arguably, developed into the best point-guard in the league this season.
UL tend to dominate possession, mainly thanks to the contribution of their American Courtney McDaniel, surely the best rebound specialist in Irish basketball.
At 185 centimetres she has a height advantage on most opponents and will be keen to repeat last year's MVP final appearance, when she gathered 19 rebounds and shot 14 points.
Montenotte will badly miss the influence of Michelle Fahy, who has yet to recover from a broken ankle, sustained playing for Ireland in September.
Captain and point-guard Denise Walsh will struggle to carry the load on her own, but at least Team Montenotte can boast proven winners, albeit from other codes, in Amanda O'Regan (All-Ireland winner in camogie) and Nollaig Cleary (All-Ireland winner in football).
In terms of Superleague form, it is, however, a clear mismatch; Montenotte are second from bottom while UL are 10 points clear of their opponents at the top of the table.
Also, UL registered two November victories over Montenotte (74-55 and 85-81).
It's unlikely the formbook will be altered here.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
SUNDAY
WOMEN'S SUPERLEAGUE NATIONAL CUP:Final: UL/Aughinish v Team Montenotte, Cork, National Basketball Arena, 1pm.
MEN'S SUPERLEAGUE NATIONAL CUP:Final: Tralee Tigers v UCC Demons, National Basketball Arena, 3.15pm.
