BASKETBALL: The national cup is an outlet for teams who lack consistency: a chance to escape the slog of the Superleague and find light in an otherwise frustrating season. There are three second-round games tomorrow with places in the quarter-finals at stake.
Belfast Star must travel the length of the country to play St Paul's in Killarney at 7.30pm tomorrow. Considering their failure to record a single victory so far in the league, this appears to be Star's only chance for silverware. Phil Valenti will not be joining them, having been released this week - a replacement is imminent.
St Paul's are in the middle of an injury crisis and a poor run of form so they too view this as a chance to revive their campaign. Coach Cormac O'Donoghue welcomes back Justin Wingard after a month on the sideline with a stress fracture.
Eoin O'Brien may return but Ger Noonan is out with a hand injury. St Paul's also face southern conference leaders Neptune next Tuesday in the Superleague.
Ballina host UCD Marian and will aim to build on last week's impressive victory over UCC Demons in Cork. The Mayomen have a decent cup record, and though they are without Ronan McGarrity (knee injury) and probably Tyrone Hammonds (ankle) they should win at home.
In the other round-two match, Killester take on Neptune tomorrow with a full-strength roster as Damien Sealy and John Quigley return.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Today: Men's Superleague - Tralee Tigers v Limerick Lions, Tralee SC, 8.30.
Saturday: National Cup - St Paul's v Belfast Star, Killarney, 7.30; Killester v Neptune, IWA, 8.0; Ballina v UCD Marian, Ballina SC, 8.0. Men's Superleague - St Vincent's v Shamrock Rovers Hoops, St Vincent's CBS, 7.30. Women's Superleague - UL Aughinish v DCU Mercy, UL Arena, 7.30; Killester v Wildcats, IWA, 6.0; Meteors v Tolka, Naomh Olaf, 6.45.
