Two weeks into the season and already it seems the race for the ESB Superleague title will be run in the great wide open. UCD Marian and Killarney Lakers are two of only four teams so far left unbeaten and after their meeting this weekend it will be down to three.
Killarney coach Bill Reagan has replaced American Nicolas Corden and brought in compatriot Gareth Bragg. James Fleming will also make his return having committed himself to GAA team Dr Crokes at the start of the season.
The clash with UCD Marian is the first of three home games for Killarney and after last weekend's 44-point performance by Bill Gilligan, they've already set out their stall in the title race. Currently top of the table, UCD Marian, however, will be their biggest test yet. The Dublin club welcome back Raymond O'Neill this weekend after a two-year absence.
Killester look just half the team that won the league-cup double last season. With two consecutive defeats, their meeting tomorrow with Limerick is already a high-pressure game.
Elsewhere, the meeting of Waterford and St Vincent's promises to be close. Both sides have won and lost a game each and will be anxious for victory to stay on the right end of the league table.
Waterford welcome back Ryan Gorman from injury as well as junior men's international Robert Grant. St Vincent's are more injury prone, and coach Mark Keenan, who has recruited his brother Alan as his assistant, has promised a new American arrival before the game.
Most desperate for a win is Star of the Sea, who have lost three games already. Their meeting with Notre Dame is sure to be tough. They will be without Kenny McFarland who will miss the next four weeks due to an injury picked up last weekend.
In the women's league, Tolka Rovers and the Wildcats look set to remain unbeaten. Tolka are at home to Limerick and welcome back Lorraine O'Brien and Dutch national Elke Sneijder.
FIXTURES
Men's Superleague: Tomorrow - Limerick v Killester (7.30); Waterford v St Vincent's (7.30); Tolka Rovers v Neptune (7.45); Tyrone v Tralee (8.0). Sunday - Star of the Sea v Notre Dame (2.30); Killarney Lakers v UCD Marian (2.0); Demons v Sligo (3.15).
Women's league: Tomorrow - Tolka Rovers v University of Limerick (5.30); Killester v Wildcats (6.0); Glanmire v Meteors (7.30).
