BASKETBALL:REIGNING NATIONAL Cup champions 11890 Killester will be looking to book their place in the semi-finals of this year's competition when they make the trip to Moycullen on Saturday night.
It’s a daunting prospect for Moycullen, who suffered a 107-77 loss to the Dubliners on the opening day of the season.
However, they are boosted by the return of Cian Nihill, who is averaging 18.2 points per game this season, while James Loughnane and John Cunningham are also included after missing last weekend’s loss to UL Eagles.
“Killester gave us a lesson in our first outing of the season so I hope we can show that we learnt something from that,” said Moycullen head coach Enda Byrt. “There is no doubt they are the best team in the league but our spirits are fine so we will be going all out.”
Killester remain the only unbeaten side in the league after six games but they received a blow last week with the news the inspirational Paddy Kelly faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken collar bone.
“We played Moycullen in our first game of the season and I know they are a much improved side since then,” said Killester head coach Mark Keenan.
“Enda is improving his side all the time. They have some great young players that are improving game by game.”
Bord Gáis Neptune face a tough second-round clash away to Southern Conference leaders UL Eagles but their recent meeting should give the Cork side some hope.
A Michael Bonaparte-inspired 31-point display helped Neptune end UL Eagles’ unbeaten start to the season and head coach Pat Price is aware his side need a similar display if they are to inflict further woe this weekend.
“We are expecting a real battle in Limerick on Saturday night,” said head coach Pat Price. “Both our rebounding and containing the drive will need to improve in order to stay with the Eagles.”
Meanwhile, UCD Marian host Ulster Elks in the Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague, while in-form duo Belfast Star and DCU Saints clash in Anderstown.
UCD will definitely be without Paddy Young (torn ankle ligaments, four to six- week lay-off) and Conor James (dislocated shoulder, four- to six-week lay-off), while Barry Glover is ruled out with a hand injury.
FIXTURES – FRIDAY: Under-20 Men’s National Cup – Neptune v St Mary’s, Neptune Stadium, 7:30; Killester v St Brendan’s, St Fintans, Sutton, 8pm.
SATURDAY: Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague – UCD Marian V Ulster Elks, UCD Sports Centre, 7pm; Belfast Star v DCU Saints, De La Salle College, Anderstown, 7.15; Men’s SuperLeague National Cup quarter-final – Moycullen v Killester, Kingfisher, NUIG, 6pm; (R2) UL Eagles v Bord Gáis Neptune, UL Arena, 7.30; Senior Men’s National Cup – UCD Marian v Neptune, Loreto Bray, 4.30; Malahide v Portlaoise, Malahide Community School, 7.30; Maree v Fr Matthews, Calasanctius College, Oranmore, 7.45; St Mary’s v St Brendan’s, Castleisland Community Centre, 7.45; Senior Women’s National Cup – Donegal Town v Ulster Rockets, Abbey Vocational School, 8pm Under-20 Women’s National Cup – UL v St Mary’s, UL Arena, 4.30; Tolka Rovers v Liffey Celtics, Tolka Rovers Complex, 7.40pm;
SUNDAY – Senior Men’s National Cup – Blue Demons v Killester, Mardyke Arena, 3.15; Waterford v St Vincent’s, Waterford IT, 3.30; Senior Women’s National Cup – Brunell v Tralee Imperials, Parochial Hall, 2.45; Team Tom McCarthy’s St Mary’s v Glanmire, St Mary’s Castleisland, 4pm; Liffey Celtics v Killester, Leixlip Amenities Centre, 4pm.
