Killester and UCC Demons have got off to the ideal start in this year's Basketball: Superleague, with two wins from two, but only now does the real challenge begin. The early leaders in both the northern and southern conferences will have their championship credentials put to the test over the bank holiday weekend.
In an all-Cork affair, Demons play Neptune on Friday night at the UCC Arena. The students have already laid down a marker to defending champions Neptune. However, the off-form James Clinton played little part in their victory over the Gleneagle Lakers last week, while an almost certain backlash is to be expected from Neptune, as they went down against Tralee Tigers last week.
In another local derby, Killester are waiting anxiously on the fitness of John Kelleher in advance of their battle with St Vincent's. Kelleher has been unable to train this week and is a doubtful starter.
As is the tradition with the bank holiday, several teams will be looking to get the full quota of points from their two matches, in three days, so by Tuesday morning the league table may have received a substantial face-lift.
Neptune must travel to Limerick on Monday for another gruelling match, yet despite their fatigue they will be favoured to prevail.
Limerick are hindered by injury to their imported player. They must tackle both Tralee and Neptune without Randy Fletcher due to a groin injury. Coach Tom Hehir is left with a tough decision on Flecther's future with the team.
Killarney received some good news this week when coach Mark Scannell re-signed 6 ft 5 in Tyrone Levet, who averaged over 26 points and nine rebounds per game last year.
Meanwhile, in the north conference's other matches, either Tolka Rovers or Notre Dame will finally get their first win of the season when the two bottom side's face-off on Friday night. Rovers will be without 6 ft 7 in Dan Fynes this weekend, but have registered Dublin Division Two player Stephen Maloney ahead of the weekend. Notre Dame will be looking to Ron Bruton to re-discover his form and guide them out of the lower regions of the table.
There will be no Women's Superleague this weekend, as Ger Tarrant is holding further trials for the Irish Senior squad, who are preparing for the 2004 European Championship qualifiers.
WeekendFixtures
Friday
Men's Superleague: UCC Demons v Neptune, UCC Arena, 8.15; Notre Dame v Tolka Rovers, ESB Arena, 8.30.
Saturday
Men's Superleague: MDS Star v UCD Marian, Jordanstown, 7.15; Waterford v Gleneagle Lakers, WIT, 7.30; Killester v St Vincent's, IWA, 8.0; Tralee Tigers v Limerick, Tralee, 8.0. Division One: Newport v Blue Demons, UL, 4.45; Neptune v Portlaoise, Neptune, 7.0; Falcons v Sligo All Stars, The Mall, 8.0; Castleisland v Moycullen, St Mary's, 8.15.
Women's Division One: Longford Falcons v Sligo All Stars, The Mall, 6.0.
Sunday
Women's Division One: Queen's v Mullingar, PEC, 1.0; Galway v Coolock, Renmore, 2.0.
Monday
Men's Superleague: Limerick v Neptune, UL Arena, 3.15; Waterford v Tralee Tigers, WIT, 3.30. Division One: St Vincent's v Tolka Rovers, St Vincent's, 9.15.
