BASKETBALL: It turns out the heartbreaking failure to qualify for the top tier of European basketball has a silver lining. Denmark's controversial victory over two legs saw them progress but earlier victories, especially over the Slovak Republic, ensures new coach Greg Gurr leads Ireland back into the European Championships (Group A) as top seeds.
A trip to Switzerland on September 3rd is followed by the arrival of Romania (September 9th) and then Cyprus (September 16th) to the National Arena, Tallaght.
Now all that needs to happen is a call to the Phoenix Suns to ensure Pat Burke's pre-season schedule doesn't overlap with international duties. The loss of the NBA star proved detrimental to Ireland defending a 14-point lead away from home last September.
The Irish woman's team under new coach Maeve Coleman drew an equally positive group of Norway, Holland and Iceland.
Meanwhile, the Superleague comes down to a numbers game this weekend as teams try to cling on to their play-off spots or claw back the team ahead.
The southern conference title looks destined to go to UCC Demons but failure to contain the best player in the northern conference tomorrow night will reopen the door for the Limerick Lions. Brana Tomic and Killester have home court advantage. Limerick will be expected to handle Star of the Sea, even on the UUJ campus, so if the Demons slip up just two points will separate the sides.
The battle for third spot down south is between the Killarney Lakers and the Tralee Tigers. The Lakers hold a six-point gap but their rivals have two games in hand. The Lakers must recover from the midweek defeat to the Demons when they entertain Shamrock Rovers Hoops. Tralee travel to Dublin to play St Vincent's.
Besides UCD Marian and Star, four teams are jostling for position in the northern conference. UCD were hit with yet another defection this week as Ed Randolph followed Damion Morberly and Lorcan Precious off the squad. The students go to Neptune, who lie in an equally precarious position. St Vincent's and Killester must win to keep the pressure on Ballina at the top.
The regular season comes to a close in the Women's Superleague with Killester, despite the departure of Sue Altman, expected to overcome Drimnagh tomorrow night. On returning to New York last week, Altman discovered she requires surgery for a cartilage problem. Her next port of call appears to be Australia. A replacement should be in place by the play-offs. Fiona Carrick is also out injured but Emer Brophy is available.
The Waterford Wildcats face leaders Glanmire without Mo Leahy due to injury.
WEEKEND FIXTURES - Saturday - Men's Superleague: Star of the Sea v Limerick, UUJ, 7.15; St Vincent's v Tralee Tigers, St Vincent's, 7.30; Killarney Lakers v Shamrock Rovers Hoops, Presentation, 7.30; Killester v UCC Demons, Greendale, 8.0; Neptune v UCD Marian, Neptune Stadium, 8.0. Women's Superleague: Killester v Drimnagh, Greendale, 6.0; Meteors v Mercy, St Olafs, 6.30; Wildcats v Glanmire, Waterford, 7.30; UL Aughinish v St Paul's, UL, 7.0.
