UCD Marian's attempt to qualify for the post-season National Championship has been bolstered ahead of their game against title challengers, Waterford, tomorrow by the arrival of versatile American Harold Joiner.
Mark Robinson's arrival at Neptune last week marked the end of Joiner's lengthy tenure at the Cork club. His mobility and fine shooting ability had become a luxury in a side which lost all four of their league games in January.
Having once been serious title contenders, Neptune's slide to mid-table has even threatened their place among the top eight teams who will qualify for the end-of-season championship. Their recently improved form has been less than wholly convincing but they should win on Sunday away to Dublin Bay Vikings. Marian are perched just below the cut-off point for qualification of the top eight and probably need to change some element of their make-up to swing the pendulum of their inconsistent season back in a positive direction.
After a solid first half to the campaign, the south Dublin club have lost six of their eight league games in 1999 and from a position of promise they have, like Neptune, drifted steadily downwards.
Marian still possess the kind of flair to trouble the best, but the memory of their early season win over Waterford must be quite dim at this stage as they travel to renew rivalry tomorrow with the men from the south east.
Just where Joiner will slot in for Marian remains uncertain and whether Kevin Ellery or Randall Mounts will suffer because of his arrival has also to be determined.
Dungannon and Tolka also have player problems at present, but of a very different nature. Donny Coryell suffered a broken nose and related facial injuries in the match against Marian last weekend and will not line out against St Vincent's tomorrow.
Tolka, now apparently destined to finish in last place, have lost American Eric Stephens to a club in Latvia ahead of their match away to Killester tomorrow. On the plus side, Sean Scott has returned to the bottom club and Tony Wilcox is a possible replacement for Stephens.
Tolka have been beset by problems in recent weeks and it must seem like a long time since they enjoyed their win over St Vincent's in a pre-Christmas Dublin derby, one of only two league victories they have enjoyed this season.
Just over a week ago, their highly respected coach, Mark Ingle, resigned. Second team boss, Miles Elliot, has taken over the reigns for the remainder of the campaign.
Limerick are another team in difficulties at the moment. They have a very real chance of making the top eight , but have been set back by a collarbone injury to their American Charles Williams. He missed the defeat by Star of the Sea last weekend and remains doubtful for the home game against Blue Demons on Sunday.
Near the top of the table, the Superleague title race is now close following Star's victory over Waterford last weekend.
For the second half of the season, the contest has had the appearance of being a straight duel between Star and Waterford, although Demons and St Vincent's remain within range of challenging.
Waterford should win at home to Marian tomorrow and so avenge an early season loss to the Dubliners, while Star have a potentially difficult match away to Killarney.
The regional leagues reach their semi-final play-off stage in Ennistymon this weekend with northern region champions, Ballina, at home to Clare Jets, while southern region winners, Tralee, face Moycullen. The final takes place on Sunday at the same venue.
